Derik Queen knew getting in better shape was his top priority this offseason well before he arrived on campus.

The five-star center FaceTimed basketball performance director Kyle Tarp before the Terps started their summer workouts to execute that plan. Tarp had an extra task for the freshman after the rest of the team finished in the gym each day.

Conditioning was a common knock on Queen’s scouting report throughout high school. But he’s dropped in core areas related to his work with Tarp such as body weight, body fat and BMI, a team spokesperson said.

Queen and Tarp know it’s essential to maximize his production for Maryland men’s basketball.

“​​He’s super talented, he’s very skilled. He’s by nature a strong, big, physical player,” Tarp said. “But [we] didn’t want the conditioning to be the limiter for him, because if you can’t sustain your intensity levels, you can’t show that.”

Queen said now is the best he’s ever felt. Tarp said he sees him “flexing in the mirror and feeling himself” far more than when he reached College Park.

A freshman taking initiative like Queen did on his own is unusual, Tarp said. But it was a welcomed surprise.

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“KT is different. I’ve never been around a guy that was like him,” Queen said in July. “Every day since I was on the phone with him, I told him I want to be in the best shape. He just hasn’t been taking no BS from me.”

Tarp — an energetic coach often seen skipping across the baseline looking for an unmotivated player during pregame warmups or backpedaling alongside players during exercises — warned Queen about the dangers of his proclamation.

A rigorous summer was in store as soon as Queen said it.

“You tell me you want to be in the best shape of your life, I’m gonna hold you accountable to that,” Tarp said. “You might not like it at times, but if you put your trust in me … we can do this thing.”

Tarp cited former Terps and current NBA players Alex Len, Jalen Smith, Aaron Wiggins, Kevin Huerter and Bruno Fernando as “elite” workers. He wanted similar efforts from Queen. Tarp has applauded the freshman’s investment into his body thus far.

The approach for each player is individualized, as many of those professionals aimed to become stronger by adding muscle and gaining weight.

Queen’s plan differed. Tarp wanted him to get leaner and strengthen his upper body to improve his output and endurance.

Tarp was strategic with Queen’s regimen. He wanted to push Queen while being careful not to overwork him on impact training, which is a forceful exercise such as lifting.

The extra daily work Queen did over the summer was typically some form of cardiovascular exercise. They happened when he stayed after the team’s daily lift following individual or team workouts.

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Sometimes all Tarp wanted was just 10 more minutes on a treadmill. Even small efforts like that have helped Queen slim down and improve his stamina.

Diet changes also play a big role. Tarp often texts Queen, who said he goes to Chipotle “damn near” everyday, about food. With the messages and extra time, Tarp said Queen can’t get away from him.

“It wasn’t as intense [in high school],” Queen said. “I ain’t have nobody on my back all the time.”

But Queen likes that accountability. It’s somewhat consistent with some of his other choices, too.

He transferred to Montverde from St. Frances Academy in Baltimore because they’d push him there. He also said part of coach Kevin Willard and Maryland’s recruitment pitch to him was that they would coach him hard.

Queen is one of three five-stars the Terps have landed in the modern recruiting era. His commitment rejuvenated a previously depleted fanbase and his debut is among the most anticipated in recent memory.

His freshman season is a month away, and his grueling offseason could dictate how successful it is.