The recruitment of five-star 2026 point guard Deron Rippey Jr. reached a pivotal moment this week when one of college basketball’s most coveted prospects made the hardest decision of his career so far. After months of evaluation and a busy stretch of home visits from some of the sport’s biggest names, Rippey cut his list down to the programs that truly understand what he brings to the table.
Who Made Deron Rippey Jr.’s Final 10 College List?
Deron Rippey Jr. is one of the most coveted prospects in the 2026 class. The 6-foot-2 point guard from Blair Academy is a consensus five-star recruit and ranked as the No. 2 point guard in the nation according to On3.
His final 10 schools represent college basketball’s elite programs: Alabama, Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, North Carolina, NC State, Syracuse, Tennessee, and Texas. The list features multiple national champions and programs known for developing NBA-ready point guards.
MORE: Duke GM To Back Jon Scheyer in High-Stakes Face Off During Deron Rippey Jr.’s In-Home Visit
The cuts tell their own story. Indiana and Kansas didn’t make the final 10 despite pursuing Rippey hard. Both programs were dropped after the prospect and his family evaluated how well each school fit his needs and playing style. For programs used to landing top talent, missing out on a player of Rippey’s caliber stings.
What Did Rippey’s Father Say About the Home Visits?
On September 4, Jon Scheyer and Mark Pope made the trip to Rippey’s home in Fort Greene, as reported in social media posts from Rippey’s father. The back-to-back visits from two of college basketball’s most respected coaches showed how serious both programs are about landing the elite prospect.
Duke’s head coach brought assistants Tyler Thornton and Rachel Baker for their visit. The Blue Devils made sure to present a united front, showing Rippey exactly how he’d fit into their championship culture.
Rippey’s father posted photos thanking the Blue Devils staff on social media afterward. “Thankful Thursday: The Rippey Family Would Like To Thank Coach Scheyer, Coach Thornton And GM Mrs Baker For Stopping By Yesterday To Fort Greene, Brooklyn For A Home Visit For Our Son Deron Rippey Jr. 26,” he wrote.
Thankful Thursday- The Rippey Family Would Like To Thank @DukeMBB
Coach Scheyer, Coach Thornton And GM Mrs Baker For Stopping By Yesterday To Fort Greene, Brooklyn For A Home Visit For Our Son Deron Rippey Jr. 26′ And Family! Grateful#TGBTG#
WeWalkByFaithAnd NotBySight!
Ron Ron pic.twitter.com/LcCj15NaLi— Deron Rippey Sr. (@rippey_deron) September 4, 2025
Kentucky’s staff matched Duke’s intensity, with Mark Pope bringing assistants Alvin Brooks III and Jason Hart to make their pitch. The Wildcats wanted to show they could develop Rippey into the kind of point guard who thrives at the next level.
The Wildcats also earned praise from the family after their visit. “Thankful Thursday: Just Want To Thank Coach Pope, Coach Coach Hart And Coach Brooks For Making A Home Visit To Fort Greene, Brooklyn NYC For Deron Rippey Jr. 26,” Rippey’s father posted.
Thankful Thursday – Just Want To Thank @KentuckyMBB Coach Pope, Coach Coach Hart And Coach Brooks For Making A Home Visit To Fort Greene, Brooklyn NYC For Deron Rippey Jr. 26′ @BlairAcademyMBB @NewHeightsNYC
Grateful#TGBTG
WeWalkByFaithAnd NotBySight!
We Proud Of You Ron Ron pic.twitter.com/KwCvnENsj1— Deron Rippey Sr. (@rippey_deron) September 4, 2025
Rippey had previously praised Pope’s coaching approach in interviews this summer, calling the Kentucky coach a guard developer who would fit his high-IQ playing style. That connection clearly resonated during the home visit.
How Good Is Rippey as a Basketball Player?
The Blair Academy standout proved his worth on the court as a junior, averaging 16.2 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.9 rebounds while leading his team to success. He helped Blair finish 24-4 and capture the Prep Open State Tournament title, showing he can perform when championships are on the line.
Rippey brings elite defense and a constantly evolving offensive game. His length and speed make him tough to handle on the perimeter, while his three-point shooting has improved to 34% from deep. That combination of skills explains why every major program wants him running their offense.
Official visits to Alabama, Texas, Syracuse, Kentucky, and Duke are confirmed for October, with Tennessee and NC State visits also planned. He has already completed visits to Miami and North Carolina, giving him a comprehensive look at what each program offers.
Rippey appears in no rush to make his final decision, with a commitment likely coming after his fall visits wrap up. The home visits from Duke and Kentucky showed just how fierce the battle for one of 2026’s top point guards has become. With 10 elite programs still in the mix, the next few months will determine where one of the nation’s best prospects takes his talents.
