5-star Indiana basketball target Derik Queen not expected to sign during early signing period

The Indiana basketball program has been heavily involved with 2024 five-star center Derik Queen for nearly a year and now that recruitment will continue past the early signing period.

While all signs pointed to a decision being made during the early signing period, 247Sports National Recruiting Analyst Travis Branham reported that Queen will not be signing this week. The early signing period runs from Nov. 8 – Nov. 15.

Queen, ranked No. 17 overall in the 247Sports Composite Rankings, is down to a final list of Indiana basketball, Maryland, Houston and Kansas. But, Indiana and Maryland continue to be the two programs attached to Queen’s recruitment most. Sources have been consistent in a decision coming between those two programs.

The connection for Queen to Maryland is his hometown. Queen grew up in the Baltimore area before heading to Florida for his last few years of high school. Maryland is pitching the ‘hometown kid’ theme while also pushing the Under Armor connection. Maryland is sponsored by Under Armor as is Queen’s AAU program, Team Thrill.

The clear connection for the Indiana basketball program is his high school teammate Liam McNeeley. McNeeley committed to Indiana last month and is best friends with Queen.

“We have a great relationship,” McNeeley told HoosierIllustrated of his relationship with Queen. “We’re brothers.”

The way Indiana uses its big men is also an intriguing message — between the development of Trayce Jackson-Davis to the terrific start for Malik Reneau and Kel’el Ware this season.

Queen has made significant strides over the last year in his game. He has nearly been one of the most dominant big men across all of high school hoops. As a junior at Montverde, Queen averaged 11.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 61 percent from the field.

He was a standout performer at the NBA Top 100 camp this summer as well. He averaged 18.0 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks across five games. He ranked second in the camp in rebounds per game and eight in points per game. He also ranked fifth with a 65.5 shooting percentage.

It is unclear how long this will drag on, but there could be an expectation that this is now pushed into the spring.

SEE ALSO: How much will landing Liam McNeeley help Indiana basketball in final pursuit of 5-star Derik Queen?

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