Deron Rippey Jr., the son of former ECU guard Deron Rippey, received an offer from one of his dream schools when UNC head coach Hubert Davis officially entered the picture in late December. The Tar Heels had shown interest in the 6-foot-2, 175-pound Blair Academy (N.J.) point guard dating back to his sophomore year.
However, in his breakdown of Rippey’s recruitment this week, 247Sports’ Brandon Jenkins didn’t mention UNC. He did, though, highlight a rising contender from Tobacco Road: new NC State head coach Will Wade and his assertive staff, who visited Rippey just last week.
“Alabama, Arkansas, Louisville, NC State, Rutgers, and Syracuse are all heavily involved,” Jenkins wrote Tuesday, noting Rippey’s elite explosiveness and unique movement during the 3SSB Circuit Session I in Texas over the weekend.
While UNC may still be in the mix for Rippey, Jenkins’ report implies the Tar Heels aren’t currently among the leading contenders.
UNC’s 2026 offer list features over a dozen uncommitted prospects, the vast majority of whom are composite five-star recruits.
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