Kentucky Expected to Be in For Deron Rippey Jr. Again This Week

2026 five-star guard Deron Rippey Jr. has become a priority target for Kentucky. After visiting him last week, the UK staff is expected to be in for Rippey again this week.

Kentucky head coach Mark Pope and assistant coaches Jason Hart and Alvin Brooks were in to see Ripepy for an in-home visit last Thursday. Kentucky is expected to visit Rippey at his school on either Tuesday or Wednesday, his father tells KSR+.

“I love how (Kentucky) continued on the winning program after Coach (John) Calipari left,” Rippey told KSR in July. “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.”

Rippey has already taken official visits to Miami (Aug. 27-29) and North Carolina (Aug. 31-Sept. 2). His official visit schedule goes as follows:

• Miami (August 27-29)
• North Carolina (August 31-September 2)
• Alabama (September 12-14)
• Texas (September 19-21)
• Syracuse (September 26-28)
• Kentucky (October 3-5)
• Duke (October 21-23)
• Tennessee (October 25-26)
• NC State (November 7-9)

Deron Rippey Jr.’s Game

Blair Academy (New Jersey) five-star point guard Deron Rippey Jr. is the nation’s No. 13 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. 2 point guard and the No. 8 overall prospect in the 2026 class.

“[Deron] has worked on the things that everybody said he needed to,” Rippey’s father, Deron Rippey Sr. told KSR+ in June. “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.”