By ZACH SMART
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — During NC State’s thorough 94-70 trouncing of UAB two weeks ago, Blair Academy Class of 2026 guard Deron Rippey Jr. was serenaded with a steady chorus of “We want Rippey!” chants from the Wolfpack’s charged-up fan base.
Rippey Jr., who sat behind NC State’s bench surrounded by family for the game, recently whittled a list of 30+ Division-I offers down to five: NC State, Duke, Miami, Tennessee, and Texas. He is the No. 1- ranked point guard in the Class of 2026, per the 247Sports.com Composite.
According to Deron Rippey Sr., a commitment date is coming soon.
“No more visits and the date to commit is coming soon,” Rippey Sr. told ZAGSBLOG on Wednesday.
“Ron Ron wants to help a program win, build and become part of a family. With great culture and community, and he wants to help make history.”
As an extension of the coach as a high level game manager, Rippey Jr. will make his final decision largely based on the coaching staff and the system.
“Ron Ron will decide which school he will attend because of the relationship with the head coaches and the coaching staff,” Rippey Sr. explained.
Playing for legendary head coach Joe Mantegna at Blair, Rippey Jr. opened up the season with 21 points, seven assists, four rebounds, and four steals during an end to end 118-61 walloping of Great Barrington Academy.
During the recent Prep National Showcase, Rippey Jr. displayed his ferocious above-the-rim finishing, with a pair of extravagant dunks only rarefied athletes are capable of.
In cementing their status as one of the best backcourts in the country, Rippey Jr. scored 13 points and doled out four assists and Rhode Island-signee Jaen Chatman scored 26 points (9-for-14 FG, 4-6 3FG) during Blair Academy’s thorough 102-77 throttling of Vermont Academy during the Prep National Showcase this past weekend.
Rippey’s adeptness for beating defenders on forays to the rim, crafty finishes, and ability to quarterback an offense as well as his vastly improved shooting touch have been noteworthy factors in his ascension.
During the Border League in Las Vegas last month, Rippey’s vastly improved consistency and range as a 3-point shooter showed out.
A four year player at Blair Academy, the Brooklyn native gains some ownership of this team as a seasoned senior with a prolific pedigree.
Rippey Jr. put his stamp on a pulsating 53-51 state title victory over St. Benedict’s Prep that season, scoring 22 points and dishing out five assists to go with three boards.
It was a portent of what was to come, as he swiftly transitioned to the focal point role as a junior last season.
“I just remember how frustrating it was to lose to St. Benedict’s (my freshman year) in the state title, Rippey Jr. explained after his first state championship victory.
“I’m a winner. I don’t like to lose. I can’t stand it. I want to win three state championships in three years, that’s my goal moving forward.”
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