Five-star point guard Deron Rippey Jr. is set to make his college decision on Tuesday, December 30th at 4:00 PM ET, and all eyes in the college basketball world will be on Brooklyn. The announcement will take place at the Major R. Owens Center, right in Rippey’s hometown, and will be broadcast live on CBS Sports HQ and the CBS Sports College Basketball YouTube Channel.
Rippey isn’t just another top recruit-he’s the No. 1 point guard in the nation, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. And when the top floor general in the country is ready to pick his school, it’s not just a big moment for him-it’s a potential program-changer for whoever lands him.
He’s narrowed his list to five: Duke, NC State, Miami, Tennessee, and Texas. That’s a mix of blue blood pedigree, rising programs, and schools known for developing elite guard talent. Before trimming his list, Rippey had a who’s-who of college basketball programs knocking on his door-North Carolina, Kentucky, Louisville, and Syracuse were all in pursuit, hoping to land a player who can take over a game with his speed, vision, and leadership.
In the lead-up to his decision, Rippey opened up about each of his finalists, giving insight into what he values and how each school made its pitch. Whether it was coaching relationships, development plans, or the chance to make an immediate impact, every program still in the hunt gave him something to think about.
This is more than just a commitment-it’s a potential domino in the 2025 recruiting cycle. Rippey is the kind of point guard who can elevate a roster from good to great, the kind of player who can be the face of a program from day one. Wherever he lands, expect that fan base to celebrate-and expect opposing coaches to start game-planning early.