Update: Five-Star Center Derik Queen Not Announcing College Decision Friday

Derik Queen, a five-star center in the class of 2024 from Montverde Academy, is no longer expected to announce his college decision on Friday, despite previous reports.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – While Indiana's top remaining recruiting target could be nearing a decision, it won't come Friday.

On Wednesday morning, Adam Zagoria of Forbes reported, "Five-star center Derik Queen is expected to announce Friday between Indiana and Maryland, [Montverde coach Kevin] Boyle said. Indiana was on campus for him on Tuesday, and Maryland is there Wednesday."

But Queen himself dispelled those reports on X.

I am not committing on Friday!!!!!!!!!

— derik queen (@derikqueen1) October 25, 2023

Regardless of when Queen announces, he's currently atop Indiana's priority list when it comes to recruiting.

Indiana zeroed in on three class of 2024 recruiting targets in recent months, and so far, coach Mike Woodson and staff are 1-for-2.

First, Indiana landed five-star small forward Liam McNeeley as the first building block for the class. Immediately after his commitment, McNeeley, who's teammates with Queen at Montverde, made a recruiting pitch to the two remaining targets.

"My first call would be to the man right here, Derik Queen," McNeeley said. "We need Derik Queen to come be a Hoosier ... Boogie Fland. That call is coming. You know it."

Indiana missed out on Fland, who's next in the long list of five-star guards with NBA potential to commit to Kentucky and coach John Calipari. Indiana aimed high in its pursuit of the five-star point guard from New York, but ultimately fell short.

That leaves Queen as Indiana's No. 1 target left in the class of 2024. The 6-foot-9 Baltimore native is a consensus five-star center. He's ranked No. 15 by the ESPN Top 100 and Rivals, No. 17 by 247 Sports and No. 21 by On3. All recruiting sites consider him between the second and fourth-best center in his class.

Queen recently wrapped up an official visit to Maryland last weekend. Woodson was quick to visit him at Montverde on Tuesday, and Maryland coach Kevin Willard followed suit Wednesday. Zagoria's report did not include Houston in Queen's decision, another school he visited in October. Queen visited Indiana in September alongside Montverde teammates McNeeley and Curtis Givens III, who's since committed to LSU.

If Indiana doesn't land Queen, Woodson may have to look to the transfer portal to fill out the rest of the 2024-25 roster. Missing out on Queen would be disappointing for Maryland, too, as Willard hasn't landed any commitments in the class of 2024 yet.

Based on visits from staff, McNeeley, Fland and Queen have been Indiana's top recruiting targets for over a month now. It could be difficult to re-enter any recruitment this late in the process, and most players Indiana has offered have already committed or eliminated Indiana from contention.

Five-star center Derik Queen enters his senior season at Montverde Academy in Florida / mvasports.com

Related stories on Indiana basketball

• INDIANA HONORING BILL GARRETT: In honor of the 75th anniversary of Indiana Athletics Hall of Fame member Bill Garrett becoming the first Black player to start for a Big Ten team, the 2023-24 men's basketball season opener will be celebrated as the "Bill Garrett Game." CLICK HERE
• IU IN THE NBA: All 30 NBA teams begin their seasons either Tuesday or Wednesday night, which will feature seven former Indiana Hoosiers: OG Anunoby, Thomas Bryant, Eric Gordon, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Victor Oladipo and Cody Zeller. CLICK HERE
• MGBAKO ARRESTED: Indiana basketball freshman Mackenzie Mgbako was arrested Sunday morning on two Class A misdemeanor charges. CLICK HERE
• HOOSIER HYSTERIA STANDOUT MOMENTS: Indiana basketball season is right around the corner, as Hoosier Hysteria took place Friday night at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Here are four standout moments, including impressive 3-point shooting performances from Gabe Cupps and Yarden Garzon, a three-quarter-court heave from Anthony Leal, and a potentially promising sign from Jakai Newton's injury recovery. CLICK HERE
• BOOGIE FLAND PICKS KENTUCKY: Indiana coach Mike Woodson missed out on one of his last remaining recruiting targets in the class of 2024 on Friday, when five-star guard Boogie Fland committed to Kentucky. Though Indiana has few recruiting options left, Woodson has roster flexibility with the transfer portal. CLICK HERE
• INDIANA LANDS LIAM MCNEELEY: With small forward Liam McNeeley picking Indiana over Kansas on Sunday, coach Mike Woodson has now landed five-star recruits in three consecutive classes: McNeeley, Mackenzie Mgbako and Jalen Hood-Schifino. CLICK HERE