Maryland basketball is still awaiting its first commitment in the 2024 class, but head coach Kevin Willard and the staff could get news from their top target in the coming days with five-star center Derik Queen in decision mode.
That decision could come at the end of the week as Adam Zagoria reported that Queen will announce his commitment on Friday. Inside the Black and Gold has not yet confirmed Queen’s commitment date.
Five-star center Derik Queen is expected to announce Friday between Indiana and Maryland, Boyle said. Indiana was on campus for him on Tuesday, and Maryland is there Wednesday.
Wednesday PM update: Queen announced, “I am not committing on Friday!!!!!!!!!” on Twitter/X.
Five-star center Derik Queen: https://t.co/EcKv1nOhwk
— Ahmed Ghafir (@ghafirtheturtle) October 25, 2023
Houston, considered a viable contender in Queen’s recruitment down the stretch, was omitted from Zagoria’s report while noting the two Big Ten teams still in contention after battling for a year-plus for the Baltimore native.
Maryland has leaned on the hometown angle with former St. Frances stars Jahn Lamothe and Julian Reese alongside Queen during his official visit, one year after Lamothe was on campus for Queen’s first official visit. Indiana has long been in the mix with head coach Mike Woodson prioritizing the fluid center over the last two years, while the Hoosiers have five-star and teammate Liam McNeeley committed this cycle. Houston has strong ties to Team Thrill and have become a consistent contender through the summer, while Queen has also taken official visits to both Kansas and LSU.
Kevin Willard and all three assistants are expected at Montverde Academy this afternoon, while Houston is also reportedly expected to visit Queen on Wednesday. The prized Baltimore native is days removed from his official visit to Maryland, nearly exactly one year after his first official visit, as the Terps will now work the close for their top overall target.
Queen is rated the 21st-best prospect in the country, according to On3.
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