Duke’s freshman class has plenty of buzz, but Deron Rippey Jr. is the name that can get lost in the shuffle if you’re only looking at the headliners.
The five-star guard from Brooklyn, New York, is set to join the Blue Devils next season, giving Jon Scheyer and his staff another major piece in what’s already a loaded group. Rippey was a McDonald’s All-American last season and earned Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year honors in both 2025 and 2026, credentials that put him firmly among the top prospects in the country.
What makes Rippey so intriguing is the way he plays. His game has drawn comparisons to Ja Morant and Derrick Rose, and that comes from the same kind of explosive style: he thrives in transition, attacks the open floor, and has the athletic pop to finish at the rim with ease. His speed in the backcourt is the kind of thing that can force defenses to scramble.
There’s still room for him to grow, but the talent is obvious. Paired with Cameron Williams and Joaquim Bountje Bountje, Rippey gives Duke a freshman trio that could make an immediate impact. And longer term, he looks like the Blue Devils’ point guard of the future.
ESPN’s Jeff Borzello laid out the appeal this way: “Rippey Jr. is an ultra-aggressive playmaker at the point guard position, using his speed and explosiveness to make plays at both ends of the floor. He's difficult to keep out of the lane with the ball in his hands, possessing high-level playmaking and finishing ability and a developing shooting stroke," said Borzello.
"Defensively, he is a menace for opposing guards, constantly creating havoc with his on-ball pressure. His commitment gives Duke the No. 1 recruiting class at this point in the cycle,” Borzello said.
Duke is aiming to chase a national championship next season with that freshman talent, but Rippey’s exact role right away is still unclear. Cayden Boozer is also back for next season, which adds another layer to the backcourt picture. Even so, Rippey will be pushing to carve out real minutes early in his first year in Durham.
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