**BREAKING: Nation’s No. 12 Recruit Deron Rippey Jr. Chooses Duke Basketball Over NC State, Tennessee, Miami, and Texas**
DURHAM, N.C. — In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the college basketball recruiting landscape, five-star point guard **Deron Rippey Jr.**, widely regarded as one of the top talents in the Class of 2026, has committed to the Duke Blue Devils. The 6-foot-1, 176-pound dynamo from Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey, announced his decision live on CBS Sports HQ on December 30, 2025, selecting head coach Jon Scheyer’s program over a loaded final list that included NC State, Tennessee, Miami, and Texas.
Rippey, ranked as the No. 12 overall prospect and the consensus No. 1 point guard in the 2026 class according to the 247Sports Composite, becomes the fourth commitment for Duke in the cycle — and the third five-star pledge. His addition vaults the Blue Devils to the top spot in the 2026 team recruiting rankings, leapfrogging previous leaders like Michigan State, Kansas, Maryland, and Purdue.
“When I come to town, the Cameron Crazies are getting a winner, a competitor, and a leader,” Rippey declared during his announcement. “Duke hasn’t seen a point guard like me.”
The commitment caps a whirlwind recruitment that saw Rippey emerge as one of the most coveted guards in recent memory. Known for his elite athleticism, lockdown defense, and explosive playmaking, Rippey earned New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year honors last season after posting averages of 16.2 points, 5.3 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game. Scouts rave about his menacing on-ball pressure and ability to disrupt opposing offenses, drawing comparisons to former Duke standouts like Tre Jones for his intangibles and winning mentality.
Rippey’s decision was not an easy one. He took official visits to all five finalists, with momentum shifting multiple times throughout the fall. Tennessee and Texas made strong pushes with their up-tempo styles, while Miami appealed with its guard-friendly system and NC State leveraged in-state ties and proximity. But Duke’s persistent pursuit, led by Scheyer and associate head coach Chris Carrawell, ultimately sealed the deal.
“Derons’s game is built for what we do at Duke,” Scheyer said in a statement following the commitment. “He’s a fierce competitor with elite defensive tools and the vision to run an offense at a high level. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Brotherhood.”
With Rippey on board, Duke’s 2026 class now features an embarrassment of riches:
– **Deron Rippey Jr.** (No. 12 overall, No. 1 PG) – Explosive lead guard with defensive havoc-wreaking ability.
– **Cameron Williams** (No. 3 overall, No. 1 PF) – A versatile 6-11 forward from Phoenix’s St. Mary’s High School, committed in November and hailed as one of the most skilled bigs in the class.
– **Bryson Howard** (No. 12-17 range, five-star SF) – Son of former NBA All-Star Josh Howard, a 6-5 sharpshooter from Frisco, Texas, who pledged in October over Kentucky and North Carolina.
– **Maxime Meyer** (four-star C, top-100) – A 7-1 rising center from IMG Academy in Florida, adding size and international flair.
This quartet gives Duke three five-stars and a projected No. 1 class ranking across major services like 247Sports and Rivals. Scheyer, in his fourth year at the helm after succeeding Mike Krzyzewski, continues to dominate the trail — having already secured the No. 1 class in 2025 (highlighted by twins Cameron and Cayden Boozer) and multiple top-ranked hauls previously.
The impact on Duke’s future roster is profound. Rippey fills a critical need at point guard, providing immediate competition for minutes and a potential starter upon arrival in 2026-27. Paired with Howard’s perimeter shooting and Williams’ frontcourt versatility, the Blue Devils are assembling a core capable of contending for national titles right out of the gate.
Rippey’s Blair Academy connection also strengthens Duke’s pipeline from the New Jersey prep powerhouse, which has produced recent Blue Devil contributors. His defensive prowess aligns perfectly with Scheyer’s emphasis on versatility and intensity — traits that powered Duke’s current squad, ranked No. 6 nationally entering ACC play, to a 12-1 start.
Reactions poured in swiftly across social media and recruiting circles. “Duke just locked up their floor general for the next era,” tweeted one analyst. Rivals national recruiting director Jamie Shaw noted, “Rippey’s blend of speed, strength, and IQ makes him a scheme-changer. This class is loaded.”
For rival programs, the news stings. NC State coach Kevin Keatts loses a priority in-state target, while Tennessee’s Rick Barnes and Miami’s Jim Larrañaga see another elite guard slip away. Texas, under Rodney Terry, fought hard but couldn’t overcome Duke’s legacy and NBA development track record.
As the early signing period looms and the 2026 cycle heats up, Scheyer’s staff isn’t resting. Whispers suggest continued pursuit of other top targets like five-star shooting guard Jordan Smith Jr., but Rippey’s pledge solidifies Duke’s status as recruiting royalty once again.
In an era where the transfer portal dominates headlines, commitments like Rippey’s remind us of the enduring allure of building through high school stars. For Blue Devil fans, the future looks brighter than ever — with a dynamic point guard leading the charge.
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