When talking about the top point guards in the Class of 2026, Deron Rippey Jr. is a name that continues to surge to the forefront—and rightfully so. With his elite handle, high-IQ decision-making, scoring ability, and leadership on the floor, Rippey Jr. is quickly making a case as the top PG in the country. His performances on the national stage have drawn heavy attention from top college programs, and his recruitment is now heating up with several high-profile visits lined up. As his game continues to evolve, so does the buzz around his name—and it’s time to take a closer look at why Rippey Jr. might be that guy in 2026.
When watching Rippey Jr. operate on the court, there is just something different about his game compared to others. The blend of skill, talent, and potential are all there, which is why I would regard him as one of the complete point guards in the country and looking to be a Top 10 nationally. Rippey impacts the game in so many ways, making his mark all over the court as he checks off so many boxes. He has an incredible feel as a playmaking and scoring guard, playing with incredible pace, an elite burst of speed, and excellent athleticism. Whether he is attacking the rim, scoring around defenders, picking his spots for his jumper, or knocking down shots from the perimeter, Rippey can effectively and efficiently fill it up. But he is more than just a scorer, as I’ve watched this young man be such a gifted and willing passer, finding teammates, attacking and kicking out, and being an effective leader in transition to find teammates. You add on top of all that his competitive nature and his willingness to compete on the defensive end, Rippey Jr. proves to be the complete package. As I mentioned last year and down below, you simply WANT the ball in his hands… he is going to make something happen and look to put his team on his shoulders.
All outlets have him as a Top 20 prospect in the country, but I’m here to put my thoughts on why he should be regarded as THE top point guard and one of the most complete ones. Along with why he should be ranked as a Top 10 prospect overall.
What Was Said Before:
“The 6’2 point guard knows how to run the show and do so effectively, displaying an excellent feel, court awareness, and playmaking with the ball in his hands. Rippey is so shifty yet strong on the court, to go along with impressive athleticism as a guard. He creates well with the ball in his hands and excels in transition, but also shows poise within the halfcourt offense. Rippey thrived as a scorer on several occasions, finishing strong through and around defenders, getting paint touches consistently, but also doing a great job in being a 3-level scorer. Rippey is someone you simply want to have the ball in his hands, and he will make things happen no matter what is needed. And though he is already regarded as a top guard in his class, he backed that up on the national stage and showed why he is one of the elite guards in the country, no matter what class.”
Upcoming Visits:
It has been a busy week for Rippey, as he wasn’t only putting on a show down in Rock Hill (SC) but also announcing upcoming visits and his Top 12 schools. Just the other day, it was announced that Rippey was focusing on 12 schools, which included Kentucky, Miami, North Carolina, Alabama, Texas, Syracuse, Indiana, Tennessee, Kansas, NC State, Louisville, and Duke. He also announced several upcoming dates for visits to those schools.
Kentucky: August 1-3
Miami: August 27-29
North Carolina: Aug 31-Sept 2
Alabama: Sept 12-14
Texas: Sept 19-21
Syracuse: Sept 26-28
Indiana: Oct 17-19
Tennessee: Oct 25-26
Kansas: Nov 2-4
NC State: Nov 7-9
Duke and Louisville were the two other schools that made his list of Top 12 schools. Louisville was a program that Rippey visited back in October of 2024, and no date has been set to visit Duke, but that is in the making.