NC State Basketball Shows Up Again for Five-Star Point Guard
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A few weeks ago, NC State basketball coaches were at Blair Academy (N.J.) to check in on potential 2026 Wolfpack offer recipient Deron Rippey Jr., who stacks up at No. 19 overall and No. 5 among point guards on the 247Sports 2026 Composite. Plus, the 6-foot-2, 175-pound five-star has listed the staff in Raleigh among those he's hearing from most at this stage in his recruitment.
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So, it's no surprise that at least one member of Will Wade's crew has been on hand to watch Rippey shine for New Heights at this weekend's 3SSB session in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
“Off The Dribble” w/ Deron Rippey Jr. @NewHeightsNYC | @adidasHoops pic.twitter.com/yCAVsrcfoq
— 3Stripes Select Basketball (@3SSBCircuit) May 17, 2025
As HS Top Recruits reported on Saturday, the Wolfpack was in attendance alongside coaches from the likes of Duke, UNC, Kentucky, UConn, Virginia, Kansas, Alabama, Arkansas, Texas, Illinois, Michigan State, Miami, and Louisville, among several others.
2026 5⭐️ Deron Rippey Jr (@rippey_deron) is having a great session 2 of the 3SSB Circuit!
— HS Top Recruits (@HSTopRecruiting) May 18, 2025
G1- 17pts, 4rebs & 2asts
G2- 21pts, 4rebs, 4stls &3asts
G3- 9pts
He had HC’s from the following programs in:
Duke
UConn
Louisville
Texas
Texas Tech
Miami
AC’s from the following:
Kansas… pic.twitter.com/INMJA71FOP
Through three games against top-shelf competition in Iowa this weekend, Deron Rippey Jr. is averaging 15.7 points while also impressing onlookers with his rebounding and rebounding. That's not to mention the speedster's penchant for getting steals and causing disruption on the other end of the floor.
Meanwhile, NC State basketball hasn't landed a commitment from any 2026 prospects yet. But it's still somewhat early in the cycle.
Stay tuned to NC State Wolfpack On SI for more NC State basketball news.
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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