Duke received a commitment Tuesday from five-star Deron Rippey Jr., considered the top point guard in the 2026 class.
The addition of Rippey propelled Duke’s class to No. 1 in both ESPN’s rankings and the 247Sports composite.
Rippey, a native of New York’s Brooklyn borough, chose Duke over finalists Miami, North Carolina State, Tennessee and Texas.
“It was a very difficult decision,” Rippey said, according to 247Sports. “I’ve come back to what I value in a long-term program, both as a family and as a player. Duke offers many benefits beyond athletics, but also academics, resources, alumni support, high-level coaching and professional development.”
The 6-foot-2, 175-pounder plays for Blair Academy in New Jersey. He is ranked No. 12 overall and the No. 1 playmaker in his class according to the 247Sports composite rankings.
At Duke, he joins five-star Cameron Williams (No. 4 overall, No. 1 power forward), five-star Bryson Howard (No. 13 overall, No. 5 small forward) and four-star Maxime Meyer (No. 102 overall, No. 12 center) in next year’s class.
That pushed Duke ahead of states like Michigan State, Kansas and Maryland in 247Sports’ rankings; ESPN also said Duke would move from No. 3 to No. 1 in its class rankings.
–Field level media
