Top Basketball Prospect Deron Rippey Jr. Joins Duke as Third Elite 2026 Recruit

Duke secured a major coup by landing five-star point guard Deron Rippey Jr. on Tuesday. His commitment pushes the Blue Devils to the top of the 2026 recruiting class rankings, signaling a strong acquisition for head coach Jon Scheyer’s program.

Rippey chose Duke over notable programs such as NC State, Tennessee, Miami, and Texas. He made official visits to each finalist, with Duke ultimately intensifying their recruitment efforts in the fall, placing a significant priority on the backcourt position.

Rippey’s Fit with Duke’s Style and Vision

"I felt like they fit my play style," Rippey told ESPN. He highlighted Duke’s aggressive approach on both offense and defense as aligning well with his own game. Rippey described his playing style as aggressive and emphasized his desire to win a national championship, stating that Scheyer "recruits high-level talent and teaches those players how to play for each other."

The coaching staff outlined a plan for Rippey to immediately lead the team and make an impactful contribution. "I am all about both," Rippey said in regard to leadership and winning. This philosophy helped cement his decision.

Attributes and On-Court Impact

At 6-foot-1 from Blair Academy in New Jersey, Rippey ranks as the No. 16 overall prospect in the SC Next 100 and is regarded as the No. 3 point guard nationally. He is noted for his explosive athleticism and capability to finish at the rim despite defenders’ size and physicality. His NBA-level vertical leap and body control support highlight-reel plays and momentum-changing efforts.

His strengths include elite court vision, decision-making, and improved 3-point shooting. Defensively, Rippey is a relentless on-ball defender who thrives in transition and forces defensive rotations. During the Adidas 3SSB circuit last summer, he averaged 15.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 2.1 steals while shooting 38.1% from beyond the arc.

A key moment came when he faced fellow five-star point guard Taylen Kinney in a high-stakes July game. Rippey scored 22 points and distributed 11 assists, sinking a crucial contested 3-pointer to send the game into overtime. He then made the game-tying layup and executed the game-winning steal and assist in the final seconds.

Duke’s Recruiting Class and Future Outlook

Rippey is Duke’s third five-star commitment in the 2026 class, joining No. 2-ranked Cameron Williams and No. 17-ranked Bryson Howard. Additionally, four-star center Maxime Meyer has committed, building a well-rounded incoming roster.

Though Duke’s class came together later than usual—Howard committed in late October and Williams in mid-November—they now lead the country’s recruiting rankings. If the Blue Devils maintain this momentum, it would mark three consecutive years of topping recruiting polls under Scheyer’s leadership.

Rippey praised Scheyer’s coaching acumen, describing him as "very smart" and equally adept at managing players on and off the court. He credited this approach for Duke’s strong team culture and high standards.

Duke also remains actively recruiting Jordan Smith, the top-ranked uncommitted guard, which could further bolster their backcourt strength. This aggressive recruiting strategy underscores the program’s commitment to sustaining a competitive edge nationally.

Here is a summary of Rippey’s recruiting highlights and Duke’s class status:

With Rippey’s arrival signaling Duke’s backcourt leadership future, the Blue Devils are well-positioned to compete at the highest level in upcoming collegiate seasons.