By MATT WHITFIELD
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Deron Rippey Jr. is the lone tri-state area representative on hand at the 2025 USA Basketball Men’s U19 National Team training camp..
Rippey Jr is attending the camp just days after receiving a Kentucky offer. And coincidentally Mark Pope is one of the court coaches at the camp.
“I thought it was huge, man,” Rippey told ZAGSBLOG of the offer. “Obviously, Kentucky is a very notable program for having [produced many] NBA players and I want to say I’m just blessed to receive an offer from them.”
Rippey Jr has the unique experience of being coached at this camp by head coaches that are also actively recruiting him in Hubert Davis of UNC, Mark Pope of Alabama, and Nate Oats of Alabama.
“I would say getting to know Coach Mark [Pope] and see what he’s all about here at USA Basketball,” he said. “He’s very energetic, he’s very genuine…I would say that puts them in a good light in my mind.”
Kentucky is the latest to offer class of 2026 @BlairAcademyMBB and @NewHeightsNYC G Deron Rippey Jr
He will also visit Alabama 9/13@rippey_deron pic.twitter.com/8ruZWyILsb
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) June 13, 2025
Rippey Jr had similar feelings about Oats, and he’ll take an official to Alabama in September.
“Very similar to Mark Pope,” he said. “I’ve gotten a chance to talk to Nate Oats a little bit and connect a little with Nate Oats and see what he’s about. “
In addition to Alabama, Rippey Jr has other schools he’s set to take officials too.
“UNC, Michigan, Tennessee, and that’s it so far” said Rippey Jr on other officials set in addition to Alabama.
Rippey Jr added he’s in talks with several other schools on taking official visits there as well.
“[I’m in talks on setting up other officials with] University of Miami, Indiana, and Texas,” he said.
Rippey Jr has previously taken an official to Louisville and unofficial visits to Rutgers, St. Johns, Syracuse, UCONN, and Villanova. Rippey Jr is a consensus top 30 recruit in the class of 2026.
“I’m an all around point guard,” he said. “I can do everything on the floor when needed. I can shoot. I can pass. I can defend, but what I think really stands out about me is my athleticism.“
He recently attended the Adidas Eurocamp in Treviso, Italy where he raised eyebrows with his overall play and athleticism.
Class of 26 @BlairAcademyMBB G Deron Rippey Jr. with the transition dunk at the Adidas Eurocamp in Treviso, Italy.
Coaches have been raving about his play there. @rippey_deron pic.twitter.com/yHlllUkrux
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) June 2, 2025
This week Rippey Jr is most focused on making the team for the 2025 FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup in Switzerland
“It’s really competitive, this is about my 8th time at a USA Basketball camp so it’s nothing new to me,” he said. “I’m just here to compete and have fun.”
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