NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Pros and cons of 5-star Derik Queen's final 4 teams

There are only just three uncommitted players in the top 50 of the 2024 NCAA Basketball recruiting class, all five-star prospects. Two of them are Bryson Tucker and Karter Knox, with the other being Derik Queen. Ranked the highest of the group, Queen is No. 15 per 247sportsComposite.

The 6'10 and 240-pound big man from Baltimore, Maryland and has been highly coveted among several power conference teams. Months ago, four teams have been in the mix for his services in Maryland, Indiana, Houston, and Kansas.

A lot has changed since then and with a decision potentially coming soon, it's time for another look at how Queen would fit with each of the four contenders.

Houston Cougars

Pros

If there was any concern about how Houston would fit in the Big 12, that's been answered. They're 23-3 overall and 10-3 in Big 12 play, currently in first place. As long as Coach Kelvin Sampson is around, the Cougars are going to be one of the best teams in all of NCAA Basketball.

We've already seen how Coach Sampson works with five-star talent, as Jarace Walker was a lottery pick a year ago. Queen, who has the size needed in the Big 12, would be a nice fit to a future roster.

Cons

The one concern Queen would have is the potential minutes he'd get in the frontcourt next season. The starting duo is J'Wan Robers and Ja'Vier Francis, both of whom have at least one more year of eligibility and aren't NBA Draft prospects. Plus, Joseph Tugler, a top-50 recruit from last year's class, has been the first big off the bench and unless he transfers, will remain in the rotation.

That's the biggest concern if you're Queen, is that the other teams can offer more guaranteed playing time. But the potential of winning the Cougars can offer could overcome it.