Tennessee Basketball Courts Top 2026 Guard Deron Rippey Jr.
Vols Eyeing Elite Talent as Official Visit Window Opens
The Tennessee Volunteers are making a strong play for one of the nation’s premier point guard prospects, with Deron Rippey Jr. reportedly set to make an official visit. The highly-touted recruit is finalizing an extensive tour of top programs.
Rippey Jr. Schedules Key Visits
Deron Rippey Jr., a consensus four-star talent and a top-20 player nationally in the 2026 class, will visit Knoxville from October 25-26. This date marks the final official visit on a packed schedule that begins with Kentucky on August 1-3.
His itinerary also includes stops at Miami, North Carolina, Alabama, Texas, Syracuse, and Indiana. Rippey, currently attending Blair Academy, hails from Brooklyn, New York.
Tennessee Basketball has reportedly scheduled an official visit with four-star point guard Deron Rippey Jr. https://t.co/8M0l5xI9v7
— Dushawn London (@DushawnLondon1) June 29, 2024
On-Court Dominance Earns Rave Reviews
Deron Rippey Jr. recently earned MVP honors at the Adidas 3SSB event in South Carolina. His performance drew significant attention from college coaches, including those from Tennessee.
“Perhaps no player has taken advantage of this week more than Deron Rippey,” wrote Jamie Shaw. “The 6-foot-1 point guard is a blur athletically, but it is his pace that gets him to his spots. He makes natural reads with two feet in the paint, and he made shots today. Currently On3’s No. 3 point guard in the 2026 class, he has very boldly staked his claim for a bump up the list. We will see how July finishes up.”
—Jamie Shaw, On3 Analyst
Shaw also noted that Tennessee coaches were among many programs scouting Rippey during the live evaluation weekend, alongside Alabama, Kentucky, Duke, Indiana, Louisville, and North Carolina.
Volunteers Scout Multiple High-Priority Targets
Beyond Rippey, the Volunteers’ coaching staff was actively evaluating other top prospects. Among those impressing during the weekend were five-star shooting guard Caleb Holt and four-star prospects Bo Ogden, Latrell Almond, Chris Washington, and Gage Mayfield.
Caleb Holt also garnered praise for his impactful play. Shaw highlighted his competitive spirit and ability to contribute in crucial moments.
“There is a winning quality that Caleb Holt brings each time he steps on the floor,” Shaw observed. “Whether that is to make a hustle play, or score a pivotal bucket, or get a defensive stop, Holt seems to always be in the right place at the right time. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard recently announced he would transfer to Fort Lauderdale (FL) Prolific Prep. He made shots today, along with finishing at the rim, and consistently making positive plays.”
—Jamie Shaw, On3 Analyst
In the 2023-24 season, Tennessee finished with an impressive 27-9 record, reaching the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, showcasing their consistent ability to compete at the highest level. This recruiting class aims to bolster their continued success.
