Jan 6, 2026; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer talks with Duke Blue Devils guard Isaiah Evans (3) during the first half against the Louisville Cardinals at KFC Yum! Center. Duke defeated Louisville 84-73. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

5-Star Duke Commit Rippey Earns Another Award

Originally posted on Duke Blue Devils on SI
By Hugh Straine | Last updated Jan 11, 2026 7:00 AM ET

Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff inked the No. 1 overall 2026 recruiting class following the commitment of 5-star guard Deron Rippey Jr. The Blue Devils had previously sealed commitments from 5-star forward Cameron Williams and Bryson Howard, along with 4-star Canadian seven-footer Maxime Meyer.

All of Duke's first three 2026 commits were frontcourt guys, which made landing Rippey that much more important for the program. There's a great chance that both of Scheyer's current point guards, Caleb Foster and Cayden Boozer, make the jump to the NBA next season, leaving Rippey in the position to run the backcourt from day one in Durham. Rippey ultimately committed to the Blue Devils over Miami, NC State, Texas, and Tennessee.

The 6'2", 175-pound prospect is currently rated as the No. 12 overall player, No. 1 point guard, and No. 1 player out of New Jersey according to the 247Sports 2026 Composite Rankings. Rippey is an explosive athlete who can finish through contact at the rim, and fits the description of a Duke guard with his elite defensive effort and physicality on that side of the ball.

Rippey has already been deemed the best point guard in high school basketball by insiders around the country, and he continues to back those claims up with elite performances.

Cameron Williams and Deron Rippey Jr here https://t.co/h7FPdntk1F
— Duke Basketball In Depth (@DukeInDepth) January 9, 2026

5-Star Deron Rippey Jr. Continues To Show His Elite Potential

In his most recent outing, the Duke commit put together yet another stellar performance to further cement his case as the nation's top high school point guard. In a 58-55 victory for Blair Academy (NJ) over The Patrick School (NJ), Rippey was the star of the show.

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The Blue Devils may not be done in the 2026 recruiting class, as 5-star guard Jordan Smith has been heavily linked to Duke for a while. A timetable for his commitment is still to be determined.

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