Syracuse Basketball: 4-star Brooklyn PG recruit enters rankings in top 25

New York City point guard Deron Rippey Jr., who landed a scholarship offer from Syracuse basketball in late August, is in the top 25 across the country in inaugural national rankings for the 2026 class from one of the main recruiting services.

The 6-foot-2 Rippey, who hails from Brooklyn, N.Y., is rated as a high four-star prospect according to initial 2026 ratings from both On3 and Rivals.com.

Several national recruiting analysts and scouts had told me of late that they anticipated Rippey would enter the 2026 national rankings from the top 20 to the top 30 range, and he’s a significant contender for five-star status in the sophomore cycle, experts say.

Rippey attends the Blair Academy in Blairstown, N.J., and played at a high level this spring and summer for the 15U team of the New York City-based New Heights Lightning in Nike’s EYBL league.

New Syracuse basketball target Deron Rippey Jr. is a four-star, top-25 national prospect.

Recently, Rippey was a top performer at the CP3 Rising Stars National Camp in Winston-Salem, N.C., according to On3 national analyst Jamie Shaw.

In the spring, Rippey was one of 18 finalists for the 2023 USA 16U national team after competing at a training camp in Colorado Springs, Colo., and Rippey has also been invited to a 2023 USA Basketball junior national team mini-camp slated for October in Colorado Springs.

When On3 unveiled its first 2026 national rankings in recent days, Rippey checked in at No. 25 overall, No. 4 at point guard and No. 3 in New Jersey. Rivals.com, meanwhile, placed him at No. 26 nationally in its first set of 2026 national ratings that was disclosed not too long ago.

At the time of this writing, the industry-generated On3 Industry Ranking rated Rippey at No. 29 nationwide, No. 5 at point guard and No. 3 in New Jersey.

His full offer sheet, besides the ‘Cuse, includes Old Dominion, Oklahoma State, St. John’s, Fordham, Hofstra, TCU, Long Island University, Binghamton, Mike Hopkins-led Washington, Texas A&M and George Washington. Kentucky is also showing interest in Rippey, his dad has told me.

Rippey is interested in taking an unofficial visit to Syracuse basketball in the coming months, along with possible trips to St. John’s and George Washington.

In a recent interview with On3’s Shaw, Rippey noted that the Orange, under first-year head coach Adrian Autry, is expected to utilize a lot of man-to-man defense and also play at an up-tempo pace.

Rippey added of the ‘Cuse, “I think they’re going to have a big year this season with that play style change.” I agree, Deron!

As far as what he’s looking for in a college team, Rippey mentioned a winning program, a family environment and good academics, among other things. “I’m an athletic point guard who knows how to defend, so going to a program that incorporates defense and playing at a fast pace is something I’ll want to look at as well,” he said.

His recruiting process will have a way to go, but I get the feeling that Syracuse basketball could ultimately prove a terrific fit for Deron Rippey Jr.