Blair wins Prep A title
Blair Academy reported that Rippey scored 20 points with five assists, five rebounds and one steal in a 53–51 championship win over St. Benedict’s Prep.
Blair Academy championship recapDevelopment / 02
The timeline
Selected milestones, ordered by date and tied directly to public records. Last reviewed August 30, 2026.
First New Jersey Gatorade honor
Gatorade named Rippey its 2024–25 New Jersey boys basketball player of the year.
Gatorade — 2024–25 New Jersey boys basketball announcementDuke commitment reported
ESPN’s recruiting profile records Rippey as committed to Duke on December 30, 2025.
ESPN Recruiting — Deron Rippey Jr. profileSelected for USA Hoop Summit roster
USA Basketball named Rippey to the U.S. men’s roster for the 2026 Nike Hoop Summit.
USA Basketball — 2026 Nike Hoop Summit roster announcementThird straight Prep Open title
Blair reported a 74–71 win over The Patrick School. Rippey’s line: 29 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals.
Blair Academy — 2026 Prep Open championship recapNaismith finalist
The Naismith Awards listed Rippey among five finalists for the 2026 boys high school player of the year award.
Naismith Awards — 2026 high school player of the year finalistsBack-to-back Gatorade selection
Gatorade named Rippey the 2025–26 New Jersey boys basketball player of the year, his second consecutive state honor.
Gatorade Player of the Year — 2025–26 New Jersey boys basketballMcDonald’s All American
The event’s official final roster listed Rippey as a 6′2″ point guard from Blair Academy committed to Duke.
McDonald’s All American Games — 2026 final rostersBlair athletic prize
Blair’s athletics newsletter reported that Rippey received the Robert Dalling Prize at the Class of 2026 Prize Assembly.
Blair Athletics — June 2026 newsletterDuke roster file updated
Duke’s 2026–27 roster profile lists Rippey as a first-year guard wearing No. 3.
Duke Athletics — 2026–27 roster profile