The Duke Blue Devils landed a five-star recruit on Tuesday, and afterward, he put the world on notice with a brash statement.
The Duke Blue Devils have struck again, this time landing five-star point guard Deron Rippey Jr. in a massive coup.
Rippey chose Duke over Miami, North Carolina State, Tennessee and Texas and is easily one of the most exciting prospects in the entire country.
The Blairstown, N.J. product is the top-ranked point guard and the 12th-ranked player overall in the class of 2026, via 247 Sports' composite rankings.
Upon revealing his decision to join the Blue Devils, Rippey delivered a very bold statement that will have Duke fans exhilarated.
"The main reason I chose Duke is that I see myself playing at the highest level of college basketball and making an immediate impact," Rippey said, via 247 Sports. "I feel like Duke hasn't seen a point guard like me in terms of athleticism and being a true point guard. Being able to go there and showcase my talent will be important for my future."
One can almost interpret that as a shot at the Blue Devils' floor generals of the past, but all this really boils down is that Rippey is a super-confident kid ready to show out at Durham.
Duke Blue Devils mascot. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.Rippey's decision to commit to Duke gives Jon Scheyer's club the top recruiting class in the 2026 cycle, ranking ahead of Michigan State.
The Blue Devils have now landed three five-star commits and one four-star commit for next year's class. The only other school with more than a single five-star commit is Missouri (oddly enough).
"Duke fans can expect an electric point guard who brings energy and is ready to lead the team while competing for a national championship," Rippey added.
The 6-foot-2 playmaker is an electrifying talent who has shown impressive progress with his jump shot while also improving as a facilitator.
Rippey still has some room for growth in terms of his decision-making, but his athleticism and his ability to defend at such a high level make him a tantalizing prospect.
Meanwhile, the Blue Devils have gotten off to an 11-1 start this season, with their lone loss coming against Texas Tech on Dec. 20. They will kick off ACC conference play when they face Georgia Tech on Wednesday night.
Duke will next battle a ranked opponent went it travels to Louisville on Jan. 6.