Five-star Deron Rippey Jr., one of the top point guards in the 2026 class, has set official visits to several heavyweight programs in college basketball, according to reports. The 6-foot-2 Rippey, an elite New York City product, will officially visit Duke from October 21 to October 23, according to national reporter Joe Tipton of On3/Rivals. Rippey has also set an official visit to fellow blue-blood Kentucky from October 3 to October 5, per KSR+.
5-Star NYC Guard Sets Official Visits to Heavyweight Programs
Rippey, who hails from Brooklyn, N.Y., is one of the most sought-after players in the rising high school senior class. Throughout his recruitment, Rippey has collected more than 40 scholarship offers from a range of high-major programs. Not too long ago, he dropped a top 12 of Alabama, Duke, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, North Carolina, N.C. State, Syracuse, Tennessee and Texas.
Previously, Rippey has officially visited Louisville, and he has official visits set up to many of his dozen finalists in the coming months. In the past, he’s also taken unofficial visits to several programs, including Syracuse, which is in his top 12. Currently, the Orange hold a slight lead in Rippey’s recruitment, according to the Rivals Recruiting Prediction Machine (“RPM”).
That’s likely because he’s unofficially visited Syracuse and also will take an official visit to the Orange in late September. As Rippey goes on official visits to other suitors, the leader, per the Rivals RPM, will change.
A Stellar AAU Season
The latest grassroots hoops campaign wrapped up last month across the different shoe-sponsored circuits. National analysts and scouts hailed Rippey as one of the top performers over the spring and summer as he starred for the 17U team of the New York-based New Heights in the Adidas 3SSB league.
In July, when the 3SSB held its season-ending playoffs in Rock Hill, S.C., college coaches were on hand for Rippey during an NCAA-permitted live period. Rippey played quite well, helping lead New Heights to the quarterfinals of the Adidas tournament in the 17U division.
Soaring in the Rankings
As recruiting services update their 2026 rankings, Rippey finds himself highly placed. Multiple recruiting websites deem him a five-star prospect in the 2026 cycle. That also includes the industry-generated 247Sports Composite and the industry-generated Rivals Industry Ranking.
When Rivals updated its 2026 rankings not too long ago, Rippey vaulted into the top 10 overall. Rivals has him at No. 8 nationally and No. 2 at point guard within this class. He’s also the 2026 cycle’s No. 2 point guard, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking.
This week, ESPN also refreshed its 2026 national rankings. Rippey checks in at No. 18 overall and No. 5 at his position. With a strong senior year, experts say Rippey could contend for top-five national status in the senior class.
Outlook for Senior Campaign
Rippey is a standout at the Blair Academy in Blairstown, N.J. Blair is one of the top prep-school hoops programs along the Northeast corridor. Over the past two years, Rippey has won various awards and honors while leading Blair to several titles. Analysts and scouts anticipate that Rippey will contend for All-American status in the upcoming 2025-26 season.
Per a post on X from earlier this month, Rippey has signed on with the WME talent agency, whose basketball division is located in Walnut Creek, Calif.
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