2026 Recruiting: Deron Rippey, Jr. Talks His Recruitment

[HooperScooper]

For sure, and have any new schools reached out?

“Kentucky, UNC, Duke, Kansas, UConn, Miss. State, and Seton Hall.”

And what is a school like UConn pitching to you early on?

“They’ve been out to see me multiple times; they said they love my game, but that’s it. I’ve been up to see the campus and meet Coach Hurley and Kimani, and it was a really good and exciting experience. I loved their style of play and culture there.”

Five-star 2026 recruit Deron Rippey Jr. talks his recruitment, game

One of the most talented guards in America talked about recruiting and his development.

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[RuffRuff]

So hard to invest too much into 2026 since the recruiting life cycle is so long these days and so much can happen between now and any commitment. No one commits early.

 

[HooperScooper]

No mention of UConn here. Seems in the last 2 years UConn zeroes in on the guys they want later and then goes in hard for the kill. The guys they get involved with early seem to fall off their radar. It's early for 2026 recruits so we'll see what happens next summer with Rippey and UConn.

Which schools are heavily involved?

“Illinois, Kansas, Rutgers, Louisville, Seton Hall, Stanford, Villanova, Syracuse, St. John’s, Purdue, have been very active.”

Any newer schools?

“Alabama and Kansas have been the most recent.”

Five-star junior Deron Rippey Jr. talks his recruitment, season goals

Top-15 recruit and Blair Academy star DRJ talks his recruitment.

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[PlayItLeo]

Saw him today at the National Prep Showcase in New Haven and he was probably the best player I saw in the 2.5 games I watched. I really would love him to get a UConn offer as he's lightning quick and seems to be involved in every impressive play at both ends of the floor.

 

[Scrutineer]

Saw him today at the National Prep Showcase in New Haven and he was probably the best player I saw in the 2.5 games I watched. I really would love him to get a UConn offer as he's lightning quick and seems to be involved in every impressive play at both ends of the floor.

That's a great event.......at least it was the two times I went 5 or 6 years ago when I came up to New England for a couple UConn games. Great chance to see prep players UConn was reportedly recruiting.
Huggins was there one year wearing a pullover the size of a pup tent. KO wasn't there but the two players the Boneyard said he wanted were there.
Our recruiting horizon was not what it's become. One player was Lukas Kisunas who people here were touting as a great scorer inside and outside and rebounder but he sure didn't show it in the tournament game I saw. The other was a point guard that looked about 6'3" and 250 pounds. KO reportedly had stars in his eyes about that kid but he didn't do anything.
Disappointing to see how poor the two looked at a time when we needed lots of good players.

 

[PlayItLeo]

That's a great event.......at least it was the two times I went 5 or 6 years ago when I came up to New England for a couple UConn games. Great chance to see prep players UConn was reportedly recruiting.
Huggins was there one year wearing a pullover the size of a pup tent. KO wasn't there but the two players the Boneyard said he wanted were there.
Our recruiting horizon was not what it's become. One player was Lukas Kisunas who people here were touting as a great scorer inside and outside and rebounder but he sure didn't show it in the tournament game I saw. The other was a point guard that looked about 6'3" and 250 pounds. KO reportedly had stars in his eyes about that kid but he didn't do anything.
Disappointing to see how poor the two looked at a time when we needed lots of good players.

Yeah I've been going for a few years as well, though I usually only attend a few games on one of the days. I've seen Calipari and Jeff Capel there before, along with Tom Moore and other assistants at various programs. It's a great event for those local, and usually under the radar enough that the gym isn't packed to the brim. I saw Karaban a few years ago with IMG but he didn't play because he sprained his wrist.