Oklahoma State Offers Five-Star Center Derik Queen

Mike Boynton is on the hunt for another big fish from Montverde Academy.

Derik Queen, a five-star center from the same prep school that housed Cade Cunningham, announced via his Instagram that Oklahoma State had offered him on the first day of the contact period for 2024 athletes.

Who Is He?

Listed at 6-foot-9, 220 pounds, Queen plays at Montverde in central Florida, but he is originally from Baltimore, Maryland. He is a big-bodied center who has excellent feet and coordination for his size.

Boynton got a close look at Queen this summer, as he was the only 2024 prospect invited to USA Basketball’s U18 camp, where Boynton was an assistant coach. Queen didn’t end up making the FIBA Americas Championship squad, but he was the only 2024 player at a camp with 2022 and 2023 prospects.

Here is what 247Sports analyst Brandon Jenkins wrote of Queen when evaluating him last summer:

Queen is a skilled big man who owns excellent touch around the rim and out to the three-point line. His best asset is his fantastic hands. It all shows in the way shoots it, grabs rebounds, and passes the basketball. Queen has a terrific feel for the game and is a good passer. He also is a capable ball-handler who can take the ball off the defensive glass and lead the break for a couple of dribbles. His body is still developing as he is strong but his frame has yet to sculpt and mature. However, it should as his high school career progresses. Due to his body type at this stage, he is not the most athletic or bouncy. He is more of a below the rim finisher in traffic and he protects the rim more with his size and girth. However, with his size, skill, and developing frame, Queen has the potential to develop into an elite inside and out threat in the frontcourt who is reliable in isolated situations in the half-court. He also will bring value in the high post and will excel in various offensive actions at a high level.

[Brandon Jenkins/247Sports]

In the Rankings

Queen is the No. 6 player in the 2024 composite rankings and the class’ top center. Here is how he stacks up on the major recruiting services:

247Sports Composite: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ / No. 6
247Sports: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ / No. 10
Rival: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ / No. 8
ESPN: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ / No. 5
On3: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ / No. 7

Others Involved

Maryland, Georgetown, Indiana, DePaul, Alabama, Auburn, Syracuse and Xavier have also extended offers to Queen, according to his Instagram.

Highlights