Syracuse Basketball: No. 1 freshman, a SU target, significant interior threat

Syracuse basketball has had its fair share of struggles getting consistent scoring in the paint during recent seasons. A highly touted prospect out of Baltimore could prove just the recipe to diminish those woes down the road.

The Orange, per various media reports in recent months, has shown an interest in 2024 five-star power forward Derik Queen, a 6-foot-8 player who is a freshman at the Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore and runs on the AAU circuit with the Baltimore-based Team Thrill.

As we noted in a column not too long ago, when ESPN recently published its national rankings of the top-25 prospects in the 2024 class, Queen checked in at No. 1 overall, as well as No. 1 at power forward and No. 1 in Maryland.

Since he just wrapped up his freshman campaign, Queen has a long way to go in his recruiting process, although he’s already received a handful of high-major scholarship offers.

National recruiting analysts say that Queen boasts an excellent mid-range game, a skill-set that has drawn comparisons to former ‘Cuse legend Carmelo Anthony.

Syracuse basketball has displayed an interest in stellar 2024 forward Derik Queen.

It won’t surprise me in the least if Queen contends for the No. 1 national ranking across the country in his class via all of the primary recruiting services. He’s that good.

Brandon Jenkins, a 247Sports national analyst, recently watched Queen compete at an Under Armour event on the AAU circuit. Jenkins then penned an article where he evaluated Queen.

The 247Sports analyst had a lot of positive things to say about the Baltimore prospect. Jenkins writes that Queen possesses terrific touch near the basket, and that extends out to the 3-point line.

"Jenkins adds about Queen, “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.”"

Queen himself said in this piece that he is focused on improving his defense, and that should come as he continues to develop. Let’s remember that he’s a freshman in high school.

Jenkins says that Queen’s body is still maturing, and that’s understandable. Queen isn’t the most athletic player, as he is “more of a below the rim finisher in traffic and he protects the rim more with his size and girth,” Jenkins writes.

In recent campaigns, and in looking ahead to the 2022 class, Syracuse basketball has brought in plenty of athletic, bouncy wings. What the team could use is a more traditional low-post player. Queen, from what I gather, would fit that mold in a big-time way.