Duke Lands Deron Rippey Jr., Vaults to No. 1 Recruiting Class of 2026
Deron Rippey Jr., the nation’s top point guard, commits to Duke, rocketing Jon Scheyer’s 2026 class to No. 1 and reshaping the ACC power balance.
The Commitment Heard ’Round the ACC
Durham, N.C.—On a quiet Monday afternoon inside Cameron Indoor Stadium, Deron Rippey Jr. pressed pen to paper and flipped the 2026 recruiting race on its head. The five-star point guard from Jersey City (N.J.) St. Anthony announced his commitment to Duke, catapulting Jon Scheyer’s class to the top of every national board.
Why Rippey Chose the Blue Devils
Less than 48 hours after cutting his list to Duke, Kentucky and UConn, Rippey called Scheyer with three words: “Let’s go win.” The 6-2 blur cited the program’s NBA-ready pace, the chance to learn under assistant coach Jai Lucas—long regarded as a point-guard whisperer—and a roster blueprint that mirrors his own game: fast, unselfish and defensively nasty.
“Coach Scheyer didn’t promise me minutes; he promised me a challenge,” Rippey said. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
The Domino Effect
Rippey’s pledge pairs him with four-star wings Jaylen Harrell and Kaleb Cost, giving Duke a trio ranked inside the top-25 by every major service. Rivals now lists the Blue Devils at No. 1 overall, one spot ahead of North Carolina and Louisville. Industry insiders expect at least one more five-star forward to join the pack before the early signing period.
Scouting the Floor General
- Averages 22.7 points and 7.4 assists as a junior on the Nike EYBL circuit
- Shot 41 % from three on 186 attempts, many off deep relocation
- Registers a 6-7 wingspan, allowing him to guard both back-court spots
- Carries a 3.8 GPA and scored 31 on the ACT, quieting any academic risk flags
What It Means for the ACC
Duke hasn’t finished atop the 247Sports Composite since 2018, the Marvin Bagley-led class that produced a 29-8 record. With Rippey steering the offense, scouts project the Blue Devils as preseason top-five nationally in 2026-27, restoring the league’s marquee rivalry and setting up a potential No. 1 seed come March.
Next Up
Rippey will headline the McDonald’s All-American Game in Houston this April, then join fellow Duke pledges for an offseason tour of Europe in August. Until then, he plans to finish his senior season at St. Anthony and chase a third straight state title—proof that the nation’s No. 1 point guard still has one more story to write before he arrives in Durham.