Another notable prospect to watch in the 2026 recruiting class. Mark Pope and his coaching staff have been aggressive on the recruiting trail, aiming to land top-tier talent from what’s shaping up to be a strong class. With several high-profile names already on Kentucky’s radar, a new target has emerged. According to a report from Dushawn London of 247 Sports, Kentucky has extended an offer to five-star point guard Deron Riley Jr. Rippey. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound guard from Blairstown, New Jersey, is climbing the rankings and has recently received offers from programs such as Tennessee, Miami, Auburn, and Texas Tech.
With Kentucky now in the mix, Rippey adds the Wildcats to an already impressive list of suitors that includes Alabama, Louisville, and North Carolina.
Rippey is a well-rounded athlete who handles the ball primarily and has solid length. However, his standout trait is his effectiveness on both ends of the court—a quality that has consistently appealed to Pope and his staff since they took the reins.
This recruitment is still in its early stages, and it remains to be seen how hard Kentucky will pursue Rippey moving forward.
Rippey is rated as a five-star recruit by the 247 Sports Composite and is ranked among the top five point guards in the 2026 class.
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