The Duke Blue Devils added their third five-star recruit for the 2026 season on Tuesday as Deron Rippey Jr., the nation’s No. 2 point guard according to On3’s Rivals, committed to Duke. He joins five-star forwards Cameron Williams and Bryson Howard, who had already pledged to the Blue Devils.
Rippey, a 6’1” point guard from Blair Academy in New Jersey, considered several finalists before committing, including NC State, Tennessee, Miami, and Texas. A late October visit to Durham, along with the leadership of Coach Jon Scheyer, played a pivotal role in his decision.
“I felt like they fit my play style,” Rippey told ESPN. “They want to be on the attack on both offense and defense, and that is what I do best. My aggressive play style is different. My dream is to win a national championship. Coach Jon Scheyer recruits high-level talent and teaches those players how to play for each other. That’s the only way to win. Their plan for me is to come in to lead and make an impact on winning. I am all about both.”
Rippey praised Scheyer’s coaching acumen and attention to players both on and off the court, citing it as a key reason Duke’s program maintains its strong culture and standards.
Despite landing Rippey, Duke still has its sights on Jordan Smith, the No. 1 point guard in the country, who remains uncommitted.
With Rippey joining Williams and Howard, Duke now boasts three five-star recruits in its 2026 class, further solidifying its status as one of the nation’s premier college basketball programs.
