NCAA Basketball: Top-25 impact incoming recruiting classes entering 2024-25 season

16. Maryland Terrapins

It was a season to forget in College Park as the Terps finished under .500 with a 16-17 (7-13) record.

Even with the loss of Jahmir Young, entering 2024-25, the Terps have plenty of optimism as they look to rebound from last year’s struggles. Julian Reese announced his return. Transfers Selton Miguel (South Florida), Ja’Kobi Gillespie (Belmont) and Rodney Rice (Virginia Tech) should help the Terps out on the perimeter. 

But what separates Maryland from an NCAA Tournament team to a borderline top-25 team is the addition of Derik Queen, the coveted five-star big man out of Montverde Academy who headlines the Terps 2024 recruiting class.

Simply put, it’s rare to find a talent like Queen. Despite his 6-foot-10, 240-pound frame, Queen is smooth inside the paint with soft hands and skillful passing abilities. Queen is an elite rebounder and will immediately fit alongside Julian Reese at the five. 

Floor-spacing-wise, questions remain about how the intricacies of the Julian Reese/Derik Queen duo down will work -- but that’s not necessarily a bad problem to have for Kevin Williard because both are elite bigs in the Big Ten.

The Terps looked poised for a bounce-back year -- and big man Derik Queen’s instant-impact role will be instrumental in the Terp’s success this season.