Duke, Kentucky Locked in Classic Recruiting Showdown for 2026 Star Deron Rippey Jr.

Duke, Kentucky Locked in Classic Recruiting Showdown for 2026 Star Deron Rippey Jr.

College basketball’s biggest blue bloods are back in familiar territory: battling each other head-to-head for the nation’s best talent.

For nearly two decades, the fiercest tug-of-war on the recruiting trail belonged to Duke and Kentucky, with Mike Krzyzewski and John Calipari regularly dueling over future NBA lottery picks. Names like Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, Zion Williamson, Jayson Tatum, and John Wall were often caught in the middle of those legendary clashes. The faces on the sidelines have changed, but the fire hasn’t burned out.

Now, in 2025, it’s Jon Scheyer versus Mark Pope  and their target is Deron Rippey Jr., a dynamic five-star point guard from New Jersey and the No. 11 overall player in the Class of 2026, per 247Sports.

Rippey: The Prize Recruit Everyone Wants

Standing out as the top-ranked point guard in his class, Rippey is the kind of player that transforms a program. Known for his explosive first step, court vision, and an advanced feel for the game well beyond his years, he’s been on the radar of every powerhouse program in the country.

He recently trimmed his list, cutting Indiana and Kansas, and now the spotlight shines brightest on Duke and Kentucky, who are going all-in on the rising star. Both programs have already made in-home visits and are working hard to get him on campus for official visits as his decision timeline begins to take shape.

Old Rivalry, New Philosophies

What makes this recruitment even more compelling is how different Scheyer and Pope have approached building their rosters.

• Scheyer has leaned heavily on the high school recruiting circuit, carrying on Coach K’s tradition of landing one-and-done superstars. His recent hauls include Cooper Flagg and Cameron Boozer, generational talents that keep Duke in the national spotlight.
• Pope, meanwhile, has emphasized experience, aggressively mining the transfer portal to bring veteran depth to Kentucky. Still, the Wildcats’ NIL power and program prestige mean they can compete for five-stars anytime they choose.

Now, Rippey represents the first true old-school recruiting battle between the two schools in nearly five years a flashback to the days when the rivalry set the tone for college basketball’s entire recruiting landscape.

The Stakes

For Duke, landing Rippey would solidify Scheyer’s continued dominance in pulling elite backcourt talent and signal to the rest of the sport that Durham remains the premier destination for high school stars.

For Kentucky, however, Pope’s pursuit of Rippey is about more than just adding a star guard. It’s about sending a message: Kentucky can still win the battles that defined the Calipari era, even under new leadership. A Rippey commitment would not only be a cornerstone for the Wildcats’ 2026 class but also a symbolic victory that reasserts Kentucky’s recruiting swagger on the national stage.

Decision Looming, But Not Soon

While Rippey hasn’t set a decision date, the expectation is that his recruitment could stretch deep into the winter or early spring. That leaves plenty of time for both programs to ramp up their pitches, roll out the red carpets on visits, and lean on their massive NIL machines.

The last time Duke and Kentucky went toe-to-toe for a player of this magnitude, the decision shook the sport. This one could be just as impactful.

Final Word

It’s Duke vs. Kentucky all over again  a rivalry reborn, fought not on the hardwood but in living rooms and practice gyms. Whether Rippey chooses Durham or Lexington, one thing is certain: the old-school recruiting wars that once defined college basketball are back, and they’re just as intense as ever.