UNC Basketball Target Deron Rippey Jr. Set to Visit Duke Amid Recruiting Frenzy

UNC Basketball Target Deron Rippey Jr. Set to Visit Duke Amid Recruiting Frenzy

The recruiting wars between North Carolina and Duke rarely disappoint, and this one could be setting up to be another high-stakes battle. Five-star guard Deron Rippey Jr., one of the most highly coveted prospects in the class of 2026, has set an official visit to Duke on October 21  just weeks after he’s scheduled to take an official trip to Chapel Hill.

For UNC, this is a delicate situation. Rippey Jr. isn’t just another blue-chip recruit  he’s a potential cornerstone for the Tar Heels’ future. Ranked No. 18 nationally, the No. 2 point guard in the class, and the top player in New Jersey according to 247Sports, Rippey Jr. has the skill set to transform a backcourt from day one. His blend of size, speed, and playmaking makes him the type of lead guard that can anchor a Final Four-caliber roster.

But the Tar Heels won’t be alone in the chase. Rippey Jr. has 12 finalists and a jam-packed visit schedule that reads like a who’s who of college basketball powerhouses. His recruitment tour includes Miami (August 27), Alabama (September 13), Texas (September 19), Syracuse (September 26), Kentucky (October 3), Indiana (October 17), Tennessee (October 25), Kansas (November 2), and NC State (November 7). Each of those schools has made him a top priority.

The intrigue, though, lies in the tug-of-war between the sport’s fiercest rivals. UNC is scheduled to host Rippey Jr. beginning August 31st, and the timing couldn’t be more important. Hubert Davis and his staff know that setting the tone early is critical  they’ll get the first chance to lay out a vision for Rippey Jr.’s future. They can sell him on the lineage of great Carolina guards, from Ty Lawson to Kendall Marshall to Coby White, and the opportunity to carry that torch into a new era.

Duke, on the other hand, will get one of the last cracks before Rippey Jr. makes his decision. With Jon Scheyer’s reputation for pulling in elite recruiting classes, the Blue Devils are well-positioned to make a major push. The appeal of being part of Duke’s NBA pipeline  and possibly teaming up with other five-star prospects in Durham  could be hard to ignore.

Rippey Jr.’s decision will almost certainly come down to more than just campus visits. Style of play, coaching relationships, and projected role will be central factors. UNC can pitch Rippey Jr. on being “the guy” who runs the offense, while Duke can sell the dream of competing for a championship in a loaded roster environment.

For fans, this is already shaping up to be one of the most important recruiting battles in the 2026 class. Whichever school lands Rippey Jr. will not only be gaining an elite point guard but also sending a statement to the rest of the college basketball world about the strength of their recruiting reach.

The rivalry between UNC and Duke has played out on the court for decades, but increasingly, its battles are being waged on the recruiting trail. And with Deron Rippey Jr., the stakes couldn’t be higher.