Kentucky scores a visit from elite 2026 guard Deron Rippey Jr.
Mark Pope just booked another five-star on campus—and this one’s a certified dog on both ends.
Deron Rippey Jr., a top-20 national prospect in the 2026 class, will visit Kentucky from August 1–3. The 6-foot-2 New York native is the No. 2 point guard in the country and a rising star in more ways than one. He’s explosive, unselfish, and increasingly dangerous from three.
Rippey turned heads at one of the latest Nike EYBL session, averaging 15 points, 4 assists, 4 boards, and over 2 steals per game for New Heights Lightning in May. He also shot 43% from deep, hitting 10 of 23 threes—an encouraging sign for scouts who once questioned his range.
His play drew sideline attention from coaches at UConn, Duke, Louisville, Auburn, Miami, Texas Tech, and Texas, the latter of which extended a new offer during the weekend.
But Rippey’s comments after the event should raise eyebrows in Lexington.
He called Mark Pope a “basketball savant” and labeled Kentucky as a perfect fit for his development—especially as a guard.
That’s the kind of quote you want to hear if you’re Big Blue Nation. He’s already visited Alabama, Texas, and UNC. Now it’s Kentucky’s turn to roll out the blue carpet
Senior point guard @rippey_deron delivers the win in overtime for New Heights against Wildcats Select at the @3SSBCircuit:https://t.co/FDpcDeEDzz
— Jacey Zembal (@JaceyZembal) July 10, 2025
Does this mean guys like Tay Kinney or Jason Crowe Jr. are fading from the picture? Not necessarily. But Pope’s staff is clearly operating with a “best available talent” mindset. And in the ever-shifting 2026 class, having multiple elite guards interested is exactly where you want to be.
If Rippey sees himself as the next great Kentucky point guard, the first weekend of August could be a major domino. And for BBN it is another name to keep an eye out on.
