Kentucky looks to land 1st commitment of 2026 recruiting cycle
The fall recruiting calendar is officially underway, and Mark Pope’s first big visitor of the cycle is already on campus.
Deron Rippey Jr., the No. 2 point guard in the 2026 class and a consensus 247sports five-star prospect, is spending the weekend in Lexington for his official visit. The New Jersey native is one of the most electric backcourt talents in the country — and Kentucky is firmly in the mix.
Rippey has also scheduled visits with Tennessee, Kansas, NC State, and Indiana, and he’s been playing it cool about any imminent decisions. But don’t let the measured approach fool you — he’s a program-changing recruit with SEC-ready size, speed, and swagger.
The last time Mark Pope celebrated a recruit’s birthday during a visit to Lexington, that player ended up committing.
— Casey (@BleedBlueCasey) July 30, 2025
Will history repeat itself this fall when Deron Rippey Jr. takes his visit to Kentucky in the fall? pic.twitter.com/XF25BRc7Yh
The 6-foot-2 guard made headlines this summer at the EYBL Session in Kansas City, where he led New Heights to a 3–1 record while averaging 15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2+ steals per game. According to Adam Finkelstein, Rippey showed clear growth with his jumper, hitting 10-of-23 from beyond the arc, a major development for a guard previously known more for slashing and defense.
He’s also drawing serious attention — and not just from Pope. Head coaches from Connecticut, Duke, Texas, Louisville, Auburn, and Miami have been seen courtside at his games. Texas even extended a scholarship offer on the spot after watching him work.
What makes Rippey so dangerous is his two-way impact. He’s fast, aggressive, and unafraid to pick pockets and run the break. His ability to flip momentum on both ends makes him a natural fit for Pope’s system, which prioritizes tempo, toughness, and versatility.
With Jaland Lowe, Denzel Aberdeen, and more all potentially gone after this season; Pope needs a floor general for the future. Rippey could be that guy.
Now, it’s on Pope and his staff to make the pitch stick. He’s shown he can close with players once they visit — now it’s time to see if he can win one of the most competitive point guard recruitments in the country. Oh, and it is his birthday weekend. What better present than BBN?
The proposed visit was cancelled due to weather.