The Duke Blue Devils are building something serious in the 2026 recruiting cycle, and it’s not just about size in the frontcourt. Head coach Jon Scheyer already has a strong foundation with three commitments - two 5-star forwards in Bryson Howard and Cameron Williams, plus seven-foot Canadian big man Maxime Meyer. But the next big move could come in the backcourt, where Duke is firmly in the hunt for two of the most electric guards in the class: Deron Rippey Jr. and Jordan Smith.
Right now, all eyes are on Rippey - and for good reason. He’s not just a top-tier prospect; he’s the top-ranked point guard in the 2026 class, the No. 12 overall player nationally, and the No. 1 player out of New Jersey, per the 247Sports Composite. At 6-foot-2 and 175 pounds, Rippey brings a dynamic blend of speed, shot-making, and floor leadership that would fit seamlessly into Duke’s guard-centric offensive system.
And here’s the latest wrinkle: Rippey just picked up a crystal ball prediction to land in Durham. That’s a notable development in a recruitment that’s been heating up for months. While he’s still weighing options from NC State, Texas, Miami, and Tennessee, the momentum seems to be shifting in Duke’s favor.
This isn’t coming out of nowhere. Scheyer and his staff have been all-in on Rippey for a while.
The Blue Devils hosted him on an official visit in late October, and before that, Scheyer made the trip for an in-home visit in early September. Rippey was also courtside at Madison Square Garden for Duke’s Champions Classic win over Kansas - a marquee moment that surely didn’t hurt Duke’s pitch.
On the court, Rippey is backing up the hype. In a recent outing against The Newman School (MA), he torched the defense for 28 points, including six triples.
That kind of performance against top competition is exactly why 247Sports’ Adam Finkelstein didn’t hesitate to call him “the best point guard in the country.” It’s not just the scoring - it’s the poise, the shot creation, the ability to control the game’s tempo.
He looks like a player ready to run the show at the next level.
For Duke, the timing is critical. With the possibility that both Caleb Foster and Cayden Boozer could leave after this season, the Blue Devils are looking to reload in the backcourt - not just for depth, but for star power. Rippey fits that mold, and if they can pair him with another elite guard like Jordan Smith, this 2026 class could go from strong to scary in a hurry.
Right now, Duke sits at No. 5 in the 2026 recruiting rankings. But if Rippey ends up in Durham, expect that number to rise - and expect the rest of college basketball to take notice.