Syracuse Basketball: Elite 2024 prospect Derik Queen stars in tourney

Syracuse basketball has reportedly shown interest in 2024 forward Derik Queen, who some recruiting analysts say is among the premier high-school freshmen across the country.

The 6-foot-8 power forward from Baltimore currently has five scholarship offers and interest from a few other high-major teams, including the Orange.

He’s a freshman at the Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore. Queen is participating in the St. James NIBC Invitational, a loaded event with top-flight prep-school teams being held in Springfield, Va.

Competing in the St. James NIBC Invitational for the AAU squad the Baltimore Panthers, Queen has performed quite well in two victories this past Saturday and Sunday.

See how Syracuse basketball 2024 prospect Derik Queen has fared at a big-time high-school event.

On Saturday, the Baltimore Panthers defeated the iSchool of Lewisville out of Lewisville, Texas, by a final count of 82-67. Per statistics from legitstats.com, in this contest, Queen suited up for 19 minutes, collecting 11 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals.

On Sunday, the Baltimore Panthers won again, this time against another AAU team, Blue Magic. The final score was 76-66. In 27 minutes, Queen registered 17 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal, according to legitstats.com.

Looking ahead to Monday, the Baltimore Panthers were slated to compete in the morning versus the legendary DeMatha Catholic High School out of Hyattsville, Md. In the most recent top-25 rankings from MaxPreps, DeMatha Catholic High School was rated No. 6 nationally.

As we’ve previously dated, Queen has offers from Virginia Tech, LSU, Maryland, Georgetown and Arizona State. He has also reported interest from the Orange as well as fellow Atlantic Coast Conference members Florida State and Pittsburgh.

Eric Bossi, national basketball director for 247Sports, has been checking out games at the St. James NIBC Invitational and had this to say, in part, about Queen.

"“Now that I’ve seen him in person, I’m even more impressed. He’s got a big frame to grow into, has good skill and soft hands. He had 11 points and five rebounds and I’m not likely to see many better looking prospects from the freshman class this season.”"

Hopefully, Syracuse basketball coaches will continue to stay in contact with Queen and eventually make him a scholarship offer.