By CHARLIE PARENT
NEW YORK — Deron Rippey Jr., a five-star point guard in the class of 2026, made his case for the nation’s top point guard at the Jordan Holiday Classic, dropping 27.5 points, 5 rebounds and 4.5 assists in two wins for Blair Academy.
The 6-foot-1 athletic guard had coaches in from North Carolina, Arkansas, Syracuse, Villanova, Rutgers, St. John’s, Seton Hall and Providence, among others, in attendance this past weekend.
“He was really good,” one NBA scout told ZAGSBLOG. “He’s a much better outside shooter than advertised.
Rippey picked up an offer from Alabama Sunday after posting 30 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, while hitting on 6-of-9 shots from deep.
One NBA scout on Deron Rippey today:
— Charlie Parent (@charlie_parent) December 28, 2024
“He was really good. He’s a much better outside shooter than advertised.”
Story tomorrow on https://t.co/eGWvcdBoe6 https://t.co/VbqazLyrSB
Several other high-major programs have entered the mix, including Kentucky, who hosted Rippey at Madison Square Garden for their matchup with Ohio State at the CBS Sports Classic.
“It was pretty good,” he said. “I got to see some of their system, even though they didn’t have their best game, I got the feel of how they want to run their offense, and what some things their coach values are.”
“[Kentucky assistant] coach [Jason] Hart is always reaching out to me,” he continued. “I’m excited to see how much better they get in the Mark Pope era.”
North Carolina is another blue-blood that has shown heavy interest, with a bevy of staff in for multiple of Rippey’s games this season, though the Tar Heels have yet to extend an offer.
“I’m hoping they offer soon,” he said. “But I’ve just got to be patient and be humble. Hopefully, it’s gonna come, and it’s a blessing to come soon.”
5 Deron Rippey Jr of @BlairAcademyMBB shut the gym down at the Jordan Holiday Classic @madehoops @rippey_deron pic.twitter.com/GZUKGT88Oo
— Randy Cruz (@randyjcruz) December 30, 2024
Arkansas is another program that has long been after Rippey, and the young guard believes he’s shown enough to deserve an offer.
“I’ve been in touch with him [assistant Chuck Martin] for a while now,” he said. “He’s been recruiting me for over a year, but hasn’t been out really that much, I know he’s been locked on the season. But, it was great him being here today, he’s really important to me and I’m hoping I get to see the fruits of my labor.”
Meanwhile, Syracuse has an offer out for Rippey, and were two-deep this weekend with general manager Alex Kline and assistant Brenden Straughn in attendance.
“He [Kline] reaches out to me almost every week,” Rippey said. “He’s been one of the more consistent people I’ve spoken to. I love his demeanor and he really challenges me and tells me what I need to improve on, so he’s a great coach.”
Rippey also commented on the two in-state schools in contention, Rutgers and Seton Hall, with Shaheen Holloway and Rasheen Davis of the Pirates in on Saturday.
Seton Hall: “I love the consistency with all these schools. It’s great for them to come out and watch me play, and perform. I just love that they’re being consistent and continue to watch me play.”
Rutgers: “I’ve been to Rutgers two-or-three times already. They never fail to welcome me to their campus, making it feel like home. I caught up with some of the guys on the team, I know Dylan [Harper]. I know a lot about their program, and they’re definitely growing this year so I’m excited to see them keep pushing.”
Since taking over as Blair’s lead guard last season, Rippey has shown significant strides in his game, now making a case as the nation’s top point guard.
He seems to make all the right reads, knowing when to take the outside shot, attack the rim or find the open man for an easy score. Blair Academy’s added lob threat of Ramon Soyoye, a Division I prospect in his own right, has expanded Rippey’s passing repertoire to that close to a high-major college guard.
“I’m just trying to slow the game down and play within my skillset,” he said. “I don’t try to do too much, I just try to make the simply plays and get all my teammates involved, while reading the defense with a different view then most point guards.”
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