Deron Rippey Jr., the combustion‑engine five‑star point guard from Blair Academy, has thrown down the gauntlet! Mark your calendars—this high‑octane floor maestro is descending on Duke’s campus October 21–23 for a visit that promises to set recruiting pipelines ablaze!
A lightning‑quick guard standing 6‑foot‑2, Rippey is ranked among the nation’s elite prospects: No. 12 overall and a top‑two point guard in the 2026 class, according to Rivals . His résumé reads like a highlight reel—40+ scholarship offers, MVP honors at the exclusive Steph Curry camp, and locked‑in visits across all basketball blue bloods .
This Duke trip is one of 11 official visits Rippey has scheduled between late summer and early fall, including stops at Miami, UNC, Alabama, Kentucky, Indiana, Kansas, Tennessee, Syracuse, Texas, and NC State . The Blue Devils will have every element of their storied program on full display—from tradition and legacy to Scheyer’s vision for the future.
Jon Scheyer and Duke are ready to pull out all the stops. The visit’s importance can’t be overstated: landing a floor general of Rippey’s caliber would mean supercharging the 2026 class and reaffirming Duke’s elite guard lineage .
But Duke isn’t going unchallenged—Kentucky is “all in,” having hosted Rippey in early October and positioning themselves as fierce contenders . UNC remains a sentimental favorite for Rippey, often called his dream school and one with elite guard traditions .
What’s clear is that this is more than a typical recruiting visit—it’s a marquee event. Rippey isn’t just visiting schools; he’s visiting identities, histories, and opportunities to lead at the highest level. The spotlight will be intense, the pressure electric, and the decisions monumental.
Duke fans, get ready: October 21–23 are your dates with destiny. Whether Rippey chooses the blue of Durham, the blue of Lexington, or another varsity shade entirely, one thing is certain—this is the defining storyline of 2026 recruiting.
