ROCK HILL, S.C. — Deron Rippey Jr., the No. 17 overall prospect in the class of 2026, delivered a standout performance on Wednesday at the Adidas 3SSB event in Rock Hill, S.C., to help New Heights to a 79-77 overtime win over Wildcat Select. Rippey had a strong second half, hit the game-tying three late in regulation, and came up with key defensive stops down the stretch.
The 6-foot-2 playmaker finished with 22 points and 11 assists while showcasing his athleticism, defense, and toughness on both ends of the court.
“It was a physical game. I started off slow, forcing it a little,” Rippey told 247Sports. “I adapted, started kicking it to my team, and they got hot. Later in the game, a lot of guys got off. I also take pride in defense. I’m a small guard, so I’ve got to take pride in my defense and get my guys as many open looks as I can.”
With college coaches coming into the gym today for the first day of the July live evaluation period, Rippey is expected to draw a strong crowd of coaches throughout the week. His recruitment is heating up and he’s getting closer to narrowing things down.
Rippley spoke with 247Sports about his recruitment and timeline while detailing Duke, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
