High school basketball: MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year Derik Queen headed to Montverde Academy, giving Eagles 11 top 60 prospects next season

By Jordan Divens Jul 28, 2021, 1:00am

Kevin Boyle adds Baltimore star to already-loaded roster for 2021-22.

Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) has become a mainstay as the top-ranked team in the MaxPreps Top 25 high school basketball rankings. The Eagles have gone wire-to-wire No. 1 to capture national titles in consecutive seasons with a 49-1 record during that span.

On Tuesday, MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year and coveted Class of 2024 prospect Derik Queen announced via Instagram he will be joining the Eagles for the 2021-22 season. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 16 points, 10 rebounds and four assists per game last season at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore. He pumped in a season-high 56 points in a 99-55 victory over Annapolis Area Christian.

According to 247Sports, Arizona State, Auburn, DePaul, Georgetown, LSU, Maryland, Texas and Virginia Tech have all extended early offers.

In addition to Queen, Montverde expects to add top 30 prospects Skyy Clark, Vincent Iwuchukwu, Dillon Mitchell, Omaha Biliew and Kwame Evans Jr.

A total of 11 top 60 prospects could be in uniform for the Eagles next year, including national championship holdovers Dariq Whitehead, Jalen Hood-Schifino and Malik Reneau.



Though speculation continues that Jalen Duren may reclassify and join the college or professional ranks a year early, the top-ranked senior prospect currently remains on the Montverde Academy roster along with former Roman Catholic teammate Justice Williams, who is expected to join a new program for his senior season.

Montverde Academy is a virtual lock for the top spot in the rankings next season and may have the talent to rival the all-time great 2019-20 squad that include projected 2021 NBA Draft first round selections Cade Cunningham, Scottie Barnes, Moses Moody and Day'Ron Sharpe.

2021-22 Montverde Academy roster at a glance
Jalen Duren (6-10, C), No. 1 Class of 2022 according to 247Sports
Dariq Whitehead (6-6, G), No. 6 2022
Skyy Clark (6-3, G), No. 13 2022
Vince Iwuchukwu (7-0, C), No. 24 2022
Jalen Hood-Schifino (6-5, G), No. 26 2022
Dillon Mitchell (6-7, F), No. 30 2022
Justice Williams (6-3, G), No. 42 2022
Malik Reneau (6-8, F), No. 53 2022
Omaha Biliew (6-8, F), No. 2 2023
Kwame Evans Jr. (6-9, F), No. 7 2023
Derik Queen (6-9, F) — No. 1 2024
Dariq Whitehead brings the ball up the court for Montverde Academy during his junior season.
Dariq Whitehead brings the ball up the court for Montverde Academy during his junior season.
File Photo: Annette Wilkerson

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