•Duke Basketball Recruiting: Five-Star Point Guard Deron Rippey Jr. Planning Visit to Durham
The Duke Blue Devils continue to pursue some of the top talent in the 2026 recruiting cycle, and one of the most intriguing names on their radar is Blair Academy (N.J.) standout Deron Rippey Jr., a dynamic five-star point guard who has been making waves on the national scene. Rippey, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 175 pounds, has steadily risen in the rankings thanks to his elite court vision, quickness, and ability to control the tempo of a game.
Although head coach Jon Scheyer and his Duke staff were not among the first programs to lock down an official visit with Rippey, the Blue Devils are very much in the mix. Earlier this month, Rippey revealed his top 12 schools, and Duke earned a spot on the list, joining some of the biggest names in college basketball, including Kentucky, UNC, Kansas, Alabama, and Miami.
Now, according to 247Sports recruiting insider Dushawn London, Rippey is in the process of finalizing an official visit to Durham this fall. While the exact dates are not yet set, this is an encouraging development for Duke fans, as Rippey’s recruitment is shaping up to be one of the most competitive battles of the 2026 class.
A Packed Recruiting Schedule
Rippey’s recruitment has been fast-paced and full of interest from major programs across the country. His tour of official visits began earlier this month with a trip to Kentucky (Aug. 1-3), where he had the chance to connect with new Wildcats head coach Mark Pope and get a feel for the program that has historically produced elite guards. Following that, Rippey is set for an official at Miami (Aug. 27-29), giving him a chance to see what head coach Jim Larrañaga has built with the Hurricanes’ guard-heavy system.
From there, his schedule only gets busier. He is slated to visit North Carolina (Aug. 31-Sept. 2), giving the Tar Heels a golden opportunity to showcase their tradition of guard excellence. Later in September, Rippey will head to Alabama (Sept. 12-14) and Texas (Sept. 17-19), both programs that have risen in prominence under energetic head coaches who have emphasized uptempo play and strong backcourts.
The fall tour continues with Syracuse (Sept. 25-27), then an October visit to Indiana (Oct. 17-19) followed by Tennessee (Oct. 23-25). In November, Rippey will check out Kansas (Nov. 2-4), where Bill Self has had tremendous success developing point guards, before closing that stretch with NC State (Nov. 7-9).
On top of all that, Rippey is also reportedly interested in an unofficial visit to Louisville. That’s in addition to his plans to lock in an official to Duke, which would give Scheyer and his staff the chance to host Rippey on campus and pitch him on becoming the Blue Devils’ next great floor general.
What Rippey Brings to the Table
Rippey has built a reputation as one of the most competitive and electric players in the 2026 class. Ranked No. 16 overall and No. 2 among point guards in the latest 247Sports Composite, he also holds the distinction of being the top-ranked player in New Jersey.
During the 3SSB grassroots circuit this summer, Rippey turned heads with his ability to break down defenses off the dribble and create for both himself and his teammates. Scheyer was in attendance courtside for some of those performances, and reports suggest that the Duke staff came away highly impressed with Rippey’s energy, pace, and toughness.
At 6-foot-2, Rippey may not have the size that Scheyer has generally preferred in his recruiting classes—he has leaned toward taller guards since taking over for Mike Krzyzewski—but Rippey’s quickness, leadership, and intangibles make him an invaluable target. He has been described as a “true winner,” a player who thrives in competitive settings and consistently finds ways to put his team in position to succeed.
That type of mentality is exactly what Duke has been searching for in a lead guard. Since Scheyer stepped into the head coaching role, the Blue Devils have signed talented guards, but finding a dominant, steady point guard to run the show has been a challenge. Rippey’s combination of skills and leadership could fill that void.
The Competition Duke Faces
Duke’s inclusion in Rippey’s final 12 is significant, but this recruitment is far from decided. Programs like Kentucky, UNC, and Kansas have long histories of developing NBA-level point guards, while Miami, Alabama, and Texas can sell their recent success in modern, guard-friendly systems.
Meanwhile, Louisville and NC State have been working hard to carve out a place in Rippey’s recruitment, and both schools could provide him the opportunity to step in and be the face of their program immediately.
Still, Duke has plenty to offer. Beyond the prestige of playing in Cameron Indoor Stadium, Scheyer has been emphasizing a system built around spacing, creativity, and versatility. Adding Rippey would give the Blue Devils a true engine to drive that system.
What Comes Next
Rippey has stated that he hopes to make a decision on his college choice by the end of this calendar year. That means his fall visits will likely be crucial in shaping his final decision. Duke fans should keep a close eye on when his official visit to Durham is finalized, as that could be one of the defining moments of this recruitment.
If Scheyer and his staff can make a strong impression, the Blue Devils have a real shot at landing one of the most exciting point guards in the 2026 class. For a program that has had questions at the lead guard spot in recent years, Rippey could be the type of player who makes everything else fall into place.
Final Thoughts
Recruitments like Rippey’s highlight just how competitive modern college basketball has become. With NIL opportunities, system fit, and tradition all playing roles in these decisions, coaches have to work harder than ever to secure elite talent.
For Duke, getting Rippey on campus will be a critical step. If the Blue Devils can sell him on being the centerpiece of their backcourt for the future, they could once again have the type of point guard who can carry them deep into March.
Until then, fans will have to wait and watch as Rippey continues his whirlwind tour of visits. One thing is for certain—wherever he lands, Deron Rippey Jr. has the tool.
