Duke basketball could be on the verge of a major recruiting win - and it’s coming from a name that’s been lighting up gymnasiums all over New Jersey.
Five-star point guard Deron Rippey Jr., one of the top prospects in the 2026 class, has set his college decision date for Tuesday, Dec. 30. The Blairstown native, currently ranked as the No. 12 overall player and the top point guard in the country by 247Sports Composite, is down to five finalists: Duke, NC State, Tennessee, Texas, and Miami.
Let’s be clear - this is a high-stakes recruitment. Rippey isn’t just another highly rated guard.
He’s a dynamic floor general with the kind of game that translates right away at the college level. His combination of speed, vision, and scoring touch has made him a standout at Blair Academy, and college coaches across the country have taken notice.
For Duke, the timing couldn’t be better. Jon Scheyer’s 2026 class is already shaping up to be one of the strongest in the country, with commitments from five-star forwards Bryson Howard and Cameron Williams, as well as four-star big man Maxime Meyer.
But they’re still missing a true point guard - a player who can orchestrate the offense, push the tempo, and set the tone on both ends of the floor. Rippey fits that mold perfectly.
If he chooses the Blue Devils, Rippey would be the first point guard in their 2026 class, and he’d fill a critical role in Scheyer’s long-term vision. The fourth-year head coach recently secured a contract extension, and he’s continuing to build a roster that blends elite talent with positional balance. Adding Rippey would only reinforce that foundation.
The appeal of Duke is clear, and Rippey himself has acknowledged it. Speaking about the program, he pointed to the Blue Devils’ recent success in developing NBA talent.
“Duke is great, man,” Rippey said in a recent interview. “Jon Scheyer just got his extension.
They had five NBA draft picks last year, so that’s obviously eye-opening and eye-catching for me. You know, being able to go there and potentially have a chance to follow in the footsteps of some of those people that got drafted.”
That kind of pipeline to the pros is always a major selling point, especially for elite guards who envision themselves running the show at the next level. And with Rippey’s skill set - a crafty handle, strong court awareness, and an ability to score at all three levels - he has the tools to thrive in that environment.
Beyond the individual talent, there’s also a regional storyline worth watching. Duke has had success recruiting out of the New Jersey and New York area over the years, and continuing that pipeline could pay big dividends. The region remains a hotbed for high-level basketball talent, and Rippey is just the latest in a long line of guards who’ve made national noise out of the tri-state area.
All eyes will be on Dec. 30, when Rippey makes his choice. For now, Duke is firmly in the mix, and the potential addition of a top-tier point guard could take an already loaded class to another level.