NC State Basketball in 'Aggressive Pursuit' of Top New Jersey Prospect
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NC State basketball recruiters visited Deron Rippey Jr. at the high school junior's Blair Academy (N.J.) last week. But the Wolfpack interest appears to go well beyond that trip.
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On Sunday morning, 247Sports' Brandon Jenkins reported that NC State is "pursuing him aggressively." According to Jenkins, Alabama, Arkansas, Rutgers, Stanford, and several others are also in the mix for Rippey.
"Rippey is a real gamer," Jenkins wrote after watching the 6-foot-2, 175-pound five-star shine in this weekend's opening session of the 3SSB Circuit. "Rippey packs a punch at the lead guard spot and is powerfully explosive.
"Everything is strong within his game. He breaks down a defense pounding each dribble and has an unselfish mindset when getting by his man. He made several athletic plays and was up there with the best we've seen this weekend when it came to delivering the assist."
At No. 19 overall on the 247Sports 2026 Composite, Deron Rippey Jr. stacks up at No. 5 among point guards and No. 1 in New Jersey.
While his 32-deep offer sheet doesn't yet include first-year NC State basketball head coach Will Wade and the Wolfpack, chances are it won't be long until that changes.
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Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of NC State Wolfpack on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining NC State Wolfpack on SI in 2024, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.
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