From Flooded Streets to Big Blue Dreams — Why 5⭐ PG Deron Rippey Jr.’s Rescheduled October Visit to Kentucky Could Shake Up the 2026 Recruiting Race
What began as a promising August visit to Lexington for one of the nation’s top high school point guards quickly turned into a weather-driven delay. Now, the new date is set, and the basketball world is watching closely.
Deron Rippey Jr., the 6-foot-2, 175-pound five-star point guard from Blair Academy in Brooklyn, New York, was scheduled to make an official visit to the University of Kentucky from August 1–3. But torrential rain and historic flooding in New York City forced the postponement — an unexpected twist in a recruitment already drawing national attention.
Now, Rippey has confirmed he will visit Kentucky from October 3–5, aligning his trip with fellow five-star forward Christian Collins. The timing is no accident. Kentucky head coach Mark Pope and his staff are using the weekend to roll out a full-scale pitch to two of the top players in the 2026 class.
“I love how Kentucky kept winning after Coach [John] Calipari left,” Rippey told KSR+. “Mark Pope is a high-level coach, a guard’s coach, and a savant of the game. I think I’m a high-level point guard who can think the game fast, so being able to play for someone like that will be important for me.”
Rippey’s father, Deron Rippey Sr., echoed that sentiment, describing his son as a “two-way guard with a high IQ who wants to help a team reach a Final Four and win a national championship.”
Ranked No. 12 overall by the Rivals Industry Ranking — which averages the three major recruiting services — Rippey is also the No. 2 point guard in his class and the No. 8 overall prospect. His recruitment, however, isn’t limited to Kentucky. He’s set to embark on a jam-packed tour of elite programs:
-
Miami (Aug. 27–29)
-
North Carolina (Aug. 31–Sept. 2)
-
Alabama (Sept. 12–14)
-
Texas (Sept. 19–21)
-
Syracuse (Sept. 26–28)
-
Kentucky (Oct. 3–5)
-
Indiana (Oct. 17–19)
-
Tennessee (Oct. 25–26)
-
Kansas (Nov. 1–3)
-
NC State (Nov. 7–9)
Analysts believe Kentucky’s October visit could be a turning point. By then, the Wildcats’ new-look roster under Pope will have had preseason workouts, giving recruits a live glimpse into the system’s guard-friendly style. If Rippey and Collins leave Lexington impressed, the program could suddenly be in pole position to land two potential cornerstone players for 2026.
What makes Rippey’s visit even more intriguing is the backdrop of his playing style. Known for his court vision, relentless defense, and ability to control tempo, he fits the mold of past Kentucky point guards who went on to become NBA lottery picks. Pope’s track record with developing guards, paired with Kentucky’s national brand, presents an alluring combination.
For Rippey, the delay may have turned into a blessing in disguise. Instead of arriving in early August, when much of the basketball world’s attention was still on summer circuits, his October trip will place him in the middle of the recruiting spotlight. By that time, his other visits will be fresh in mind, allowing for a direct comparison between programs.
From navigating flooded streets in Brooklyn to preparing for one of the most important weekends of his young career, Deron Rippey Jr.’s journey to Kentucky has already taken unexpected turns. Whether that journey ends in Lexington — and shakes up the 2026 recruiting race — will be decided in the months ahead.
