Class of 2024 consensus top-30 center Derik Queen has committed to Maryland, he announced on Wednesday afternoon.
The announcement by Queen ends a more than two-year recruitment by the Indiana staff.
Queen visited Indiana twice with his friend and Montverde Academy teammate Liam McNeeley, who signed a national letter of intent with IU in November.
McNeeley remains Indiana’s only signee or commit in the class of 2024.
At this point, Indiana knows for sure they are losing Xavier Johnson and Anthony Walker after this season to eligibility, and it appears likely Kel’el Ware will leave for the NBA. The Hoosiers already have an open roster spot this season. So after adding McNeeley, IU will have at least three openings on the 2024-25 roster assuming Ware leaves, before any transfer portal attrition.
While missing on a player of Queen’s talent is a real loss, Indiana projects to have a strong front court if Malik Reneau and Mackenzie Mgbako return and join McNeeley in the starting five. That trio could allow the Hoosiers to play a much more modern style, and avoid the two-big “buddy ball” system we’ve seen over the last three seasons.
At this moment, it appears Indiana’s primary resource to fill roster openings for next season will be the transfer portal, or perhaps late stage class of 2024 de-commitments. That’s because in terms of prospects currently known to be available and for sure in the class of 2024, Indiana does not appear to be recruiting anyone else in the senior class after Queen’s decision.
Obviously head coaching changes like we’ve already seen at Ohio State could put the wheels in motion behind the scenes for 2024 recruits currently signed/committed elsewhere.
Wherever they source players for next season, it seems clear scoring and shooting at the guard spots will be a high priority.
Indiana has been tied to 2024 guards Joson Sanon and Daquan Davis, but as we’ve previously reported, sources tell The Daily Hoosier IU is not seriously involved with either player at this time.
Current 2025 Indiana prospects who have at least said they are considering a reclassification to 2024 include guard Mikel Brown and forward Bryson Tiller. Both appear to be leaning towards staying in 2025 at this point, however.
For complete coverage of IU basketball recruiting, GO HERE.
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