Syracuse basketball staff did everything possible to prevail for 5-star Deron Rippey

Syracuse basketball was eliminated from contention for 2026 five-star prospect Deron Rippey Jr. on Monday, as the elite 6-foot-2 point guard, excellent student and unselfish teammate dropped a top five of Tennessee, N.C. State, Duke, Miami and Texas.

Multiple national recruiting analysts reported on this top five on Monday. Rippey's dad, all-around great guy Deron Rippey Sr., confirmed the news to me via text message as well on Monday afternoon.

Look, I'm bummed. Orange fans are bummed. But it's okay. Deron Rippey Jr. and his dad, who is a good friend of mine, have said nothing but positive things about Syracuse basketball coaches and the 'Cuse program for two-plus years. Sometimes things just don't pan out in the recruiting world.

Deron Rippey Sr. wrote this to me on Monday: "The Cuse is a great place, but I think Ron Ron sees himself playing at one of his top 5 programs he picked."

Personally, I look forward to staying in touch with Deron Rippey Sr. and rooting for his son at the collegiate level. A wonderful, high-character family.

Syracuse basketball didn't make the top 5 of 5-star PG Deron Rippey Jr., and that's okay.

The Orange staff offered a scholarship to Rippey, who hails from Brooklyn, N.Y., back in late August of 2023. He unofficially visited the 'Cuse in late February of last year on Jim Boeheim Day. Rippey took an official visit to the Hill in late September of this year, and that trip to Central New York went quite well.

Earlier that month, Syracuse basketball head coach Adrian Autry, assistant coach Allen Griffin and other SU coaches conducted an in-home visit with Rippey and his family.

Syracuse basketball coaches have been in attendance for Rippey on countless occasions over the past two-and-a-half years, including on the AAU circuit, during scholastic live periods and at many other showcase events.

No one - I repeat, no one - can say that the Syracuse basketball staff didn't put in the work necessary to win out for Deron Rippey Jr. Anyone who says otherwise, frankly, doesn't know the situation in Rippey's recruitment.

He will significantly contend for All-America honors as a senior during the 2025-26 season for the Blair Academy in Blairstown, N.J. Rippey has also proven a fast-riser in the 2026 national rankings over the past few months, reaching No. 5 overall via Rivals. He's also the No. 1 point guard in the senior cycle, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.

Previously, Rippey had a top nine of the Orange, Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, N.C. State, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. He is one of three top targets in the 2026 class for the 'Cuse staff at the high school level.

Four-star big man Asher Elson from New York City has Syracuse basketball in his top four and will announce on Wednesday. The Orange isn't expected to prevail for him, I'm told. Five-star shooting guard Jordan Smith Jr. from the Washington, D.C., area has the 'Cuse in his top six and has unofficially visited Syracuse basketball twice.

With up to nine or 10 guys from the Orange's current roster potentially returning for the team's 2026-27 season, Syracuse basketball was always likely to have a small 2026 class at the prep level. The 'Cuse may look to 2027 targets who could possibly re-class into the 2026 cycle, such as four-star wing/small forward Clyde Walters and four-star big man Theo Edema, among others.