Kentucky Basketball Players and Coaches Send Birthday Wishes to DeRon Rippey Jr. Despite Postponed Visit

DeRon Rippey Jr. was supposed to celebrate his birthday in Lexington on Friday for his official visit to Kentucky. However, the visit got postponed due to heavy rain and flooding in the New York City area. That didn’t stop Kentucky from wishing Rippey a happy birthday.

Rippey’s father, DeRon Rippey Sr., shared a couple of videos from Kentucky players and coaches wishing his son a happy birthday. The first video featured Kentucky head coach Mark Pope, his wife Lee Anne, Kentucky basketball players Malachi Moreno, Jasper Johnson, and Collin Chandler, and several members of the Kentucky basketball support staff.

Our Kentucky Visit Was Rescheduled But We Still Received ❤️‼️
Thank You Coach Pope And @KentuckyMBB Coaches, Players, Staff And Fans For The Birthday Blessings And Love #ForeverGrateful#
PG Deron Rippey Jr. 26’ @BlairAcademyMBB @NewHeightsNYC TGBTG #WeWalkByFaithAndNotBySight! pic.twitter.com/jgb8Bbrc6a

— Deron Rippey Sr. (@rippey_deron) August 2, 2025

The second video featured assistant coach Mikhail McLean and his three sons. They also sang Happy Birthday, with McLean finishing the video by leaving a message to Rippey.

“Yes, sir. You see where we’re at,” McLean said. “We’re getting that work in, baby. Outdoor courts. Trench work. Enjoy your day, fam.”

Plenty More Visits on the Way

DeRon Rippey has become one of Kentucky’s top targets in the 2026 class, earning an offer in June. He’s got a lot more visits on the way.

Rippey hasn’t rescheduled his Kentucky visit, but has nine other visits planned. He’s set to take the following official visits:

• Miami (August 27-29)
• North Carolina (August 31-September 2)
• Alabama (September 12-14)
• Texas (September 19-21)
• Syracuse (September 26-28)
• Indiana (October 17-19)
• Tennessee (October 25-26)
• Kansas (November 2-4)
• NC State (November 7-9)

Rippey is also potentially going to take visits to Louisville and Duke, who are also among his 12 finalists.

“I love how (Kentucky) continued on the winning program after Coach (John) Calipari left,” Rippey recently told KSR. “Mark Pope, I think he’s a very high-level coach, he’s a guard’s coach, he’s just an overall savant of the game of basketball. Using that terminology, I think I’m a high-level point guard that can think the game fast, so being able to play for a coach like that will be important for me.”

DeRon Rippey Jr.’s Game

Blair Academy (New Jersey) four-star guard DeRon Rippey Jr. is the nation’s No. 17 overall prospect according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, an equally weighted average that utilizes all three major recruiting services. Rivals ranks Rippey as the No. 3 point guard and No. 17 overall prospect in the 2026 class.

“[Deron] has worked on the things that everybody said he needed to,” Rippey Sr. told KSR+. “He’s shooting better and running the point, being more effective as a leader. He’s a playmaker with a high IQ, and he’s improved his defense. Last but not least, his competitive edge. He wants to compete, and that’s why all the coaches and schools are recruiting him.”