Deron Rippey Jr. completes statement summer with an exclamation point ahead of busy recruiting period

Bleacher Report Hoops put it simply: “5-star Deron Rippey Jr. has arguably had the biggest summer in HS hoops, making his case for No. 1 PG in the country 🔥.” That’s high praise for a guard who just wrapped up a run that included MVP honors at the Curry Camp and standout play at Donovan Mitchell’s Spida Camp. When you start stacking accolades like that, it becomes obvious Rippey is climbing toward the top of the recruiting charts. And the Kentucky staff will get a crack at trying to convince the rising 5-star to be a Cat in October.

He has a packed visit schedule this fall, one that looks like a who’s who of college basketball. He’ll be in Lexington October 3-5, a crucial visit for Kentucky as they continue to look for their point guard of the future. But the Wildcats aren’t alone. Miami (Aug. 27-29), North Carolina (Aug. 31-Sept. 2), Alabama (Sept. 12-14), Texas (Sept. 19-21), Syracuse (Sept. 26-28), Indiana (Oct. 17-19), Duke (Oct. 21-23), Tennessee (Oct. 25-26), Kansas (Nov. 1-3), and NC State (Nov. 7-9) are all getting their shot.

The list tells you all you need to know: everyone sees Rippey as the real deal. The question is whether Mark Pope can land him amid a crowded group of prospects. If last season taught Kentucky anything, it’s how valuable the point guard spot really is. When Lamont Butler was healthy, the Wildcats’ offense looked like it could flow and the defense looked effective. When he wasn’t, they struggled to organize and anticipate in Pope’s read-and-react system, and couldn't contain the drive.

That makes Rippey the type of player who could completely change the equation in Lexington. He has the speed, the instincts, and the mindset to become one of the next great guards in college basketball. Now it’s about whether he wants to run the show in blue and white.