5-Star PG Deron Rippey Jr. Cuts Kentucky from His List

Kentucky is out of the race for five-star guard Deron Rippey Jr.. The 2026 five-star is down to a final five, and Kentucky did not make the cut.

The 6-foot-2, 175-pound point guard from Blair Academy (Brooklyn, NY) is down to a final five of Tennessee, NC State, Duke, Miami, and Texas, per Joe Tipton of Rivals. He cut Kentucky, Louisville, North Carolina, and Syracuse from their list.

Rippey took an official visit to Kentucky from Oct. 6-8. He attended Kentucky’s Pro Day on Oct. 7, and spent time with Blair Academy alum Otega Oweh.

“Everything [stood out], man. Everything from the facilities to meeting with the coaching staff and the administration, and just Lexington in general,” Rippey Sr. told KSR+. “You see it on TV, but it was our first time coming to Kentucky. They’re very nice people, and they have great support as far as the school and fanbase.”

Rippey is the No. 2 point guard and the No. 10 overall player in the 2026 Rivals Industry Ranking. Rivals ranks Rippey as the No. 2 point guard and the No. 5 overall player in the class.

Kentucky’s 2026 Big Board

Kentucky’s 2026 Big Board is starting to dwindle. There are only 10 players remaining who are still considering Kentucky and hold an offer.

Point Guard

Ikenna Alozie: 6-foot-2 guard from Dream City Christian – No. 36 overall

Combo Guard

Brandon McCoy: 6-foot-5 guard from St. John Bosco – No. 2 overall

Shooting Guards

Jordan Smith Jr.: 6-foot-2 guard from Paul VI Catholic– No. 3 overall

Caleb Holt: 6-foot-5 guard from Prolific Prep – No. 4 overall

Qayden Samuels: 6-foot-5 guard from Bishop McNamara – No. 20 overall

Small Forwards

Tyran Stokes: 6-foot-7 forward from Notre Dame – No. 1 overall

Christian Collins: 6-foot-8 forward from St. John Bosco – No. 8 overall

Baba Oladotun: 6-foot-8 forward from James Hubert Blake – No. 10 overall

Power Forwards

Miikka Muurinen: 6-foot-10 forward from Compass Prep – No. 11 overall

Centers

Arafan Diane: 6-foot-11 center from Iowa United Prep – No. 19 overall