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Blair Academy (N.J.) 5-star PG Deron Rippey Jr. balls out in front of ACC, SEC coaches

hunterby: Hunter Shelton15 hours agoHunterShelton_
Deron Rippey Jr.
Rivals' top-10 prospect Deron Rippey Jr. (USA Basketball)

Blair Academy (N.J.) five-star point guard Deron Rippey Jr. remains one of the top uncommitted prospects in the 2026 cycle and his senior season is now underway.

On Wednesday night, Rippey Jr. helped the Buccaneers defeat Great Barrington Academy to begin the 2025-26 season 1-0. Blair won 118-61 and the star guard led the way with 21 points, seven assists, four rebounds and four steals.

Blair opens the season as the No. 9 team in New Jersey, according to the Massey Ratings. It has an impressive roster that also includes senior center Coleman Elkins (Texas commit), senior three-star combo guard Jaen Chatman (Rhode Island commit), senior three-star power forward Kenny Thompson, junior four-star center Kamsi Awaka and sophomore three-star shooting guard Ian Archibold.

Rippey is the headliner, though. On Wednesday, assistants from Duke, NC State and Tennessee were in attendance to see the five-star go to work.

The Brooklyn native is the No. 10 overall prospect and No. 2 PG in the 2026 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. He’s currently the sixth-highest-ranked uncommitted recruit in the nation.

Earlier this month, Rippey trimmed his list of top schools down to five. The three aforementioned schools are still in the mix, alongside Miami and Texas. Kentucky, Louisville, North Carolina, and Syracuse are among those that didn’t make his latest cut.

“Opportunity is definitely my number one thing,” Rippey previously told Rivals. “I want to go to a school that’s going to win and make it to the NCAA Tournament. That’s where I feel like most NBA players are found. That’s where the stock goes from here, all the way up. From maybe being a second round draft pick, having a good tournament, and then becoming a first round draft pick, or even lottery. So that’s the stage I want to play on.”

How to Follow New Jersey High School Boys Basketball

For New Jersey high school boys basketball fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Garden State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the high school hops action throughout the season. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the hardwood excitement across the state.