Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Duke Basketball in Danger of Not Surviving Cut for Premier Point Guard

Originally posted on Duke Blue Devils on SI
By Matt Giles | Last updated Jul 12, 2025 6:10 PM ET

One of over 40 full-fledged suitors in the Deron Rippey Jr. sweepstakes, the Duke basketball staff doesn't look like a top contender for the Blair Academy (N.J.) five-star guard. After all, the Blue Devils are not among the now-eight programs that have locked in dates for an official visit from the 6-foot-2 rising senior.

And Rippey, who now ranks No. 17 overall and No. 2 among point guards on the 247Sports 2026 Composite and is the namesake son of the mid-1990s ECU basketball player, is set to first check out the Kentucky Wildcats beginning on Aug. 1.

NEWS: Deron Rippey Jr., the No. 17 overall prospect in the class of 2026, has locked in several official visits, @247Sports is told.

Rippey is rated as a composite five-star. https://t.co/0Fe0mOWW8Y pic.twitter.com/thq1fveZ8c
— Dushawn London (@DushawnLondon1) July 12, 2025

Rippey will then begin his visit with the Miami Hurricanes on Aug. 27, UNC Tar Heels on Aug. 31, Alabama Crimson Tide on Sept. 12, Texas Longhorns on Sept. 19, Syracuse Orange on Sept. 26, Indiana Hoosiers on Oct. 17, and Tennessee Volunteers on Oct. 25, he recently confirmed to 247Sports national recruiting insider Dushawn London.

"Next week, I'll be dropping a list of top schools that I'll be considering," Rippey told League Ready this week. "I'll be cutting some schools out and keeping some schools. These schools that I'm cutting out, I won't be visiting. And then, my list will just be the schools I'm visiting in the fall, from August all the way up to November."

Deron Rippey Jr. is in the process of cutting his list of potential college suitors and broke down how taxing it’s been and how he’ll inform all of the coaches.

Rippey, who checks in at No. 18 overall in the ESPN 100, plans to drop his list next week. #3SSB pic.twitter.com/O9znEzPvhz
— League Ready (@LeagueRDY) July 12, 2025

Given the statements from Deron Rippey Jr. and absence of a scheduled official visit with the Blue Devils thus far, it sure sounds like Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer and his cohorts are unlikely to advance to the next round for the dynamic floor general.

Scheyer & Co. officially entered the fray for Rippey's services with an offer in mid-June.

This article first appeared on Duke Blue Devils on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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