The gymnasium fell silent as Steph Curry stepped forward with the MVP trophy. For Deron Rippey Jr., this wasn’t just another camp award. This was validation that the 6’2″ point guard from Blair Academy belongs among the elite guards in the country.
What happened next turned his father into a proud voice on social media and made college basketball’s biggest programs even hungrier for his commitment. As the battle for the 2026 standout heats up, where will Rippey land?
How Did Deron Rippey Jr. Earn MVP Honors at Stephen Curry’s Elite Camp?
Deron Rippey Jr. arrived at the Steph Curry Camp as one of many elite prospects. The 6’2″, 175-pound point guard from Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey, had already built a reputation as one of the most explosive players in the Class of 2026.
However, walking away as MVP with the two-time NBA champion handing him the trophy elevated his status to another level entirely.
Rippey pressures defenses from baseline to baseline with relentless energy. Defensively, he smothers opponents at the point of attack, using his quickness to disrupt passing lanes and force turnovers. While his size has raised some questions among scouts, his explosiveness cannot be denied.
The Blair Academy star already holds 44 scholarship offers, and what he accomplished at the Curry Camp could transform the recruiting battle into an all-out war.
For his father, Deron Rippey Sr., the moment represented something bigger than basketball itself.
I Would Like To Thank @StephenCurry30 @CurrybrandSC @UnderArmour @TorWatts And Rafi And Elliot For Allow My Son To Participate In The Elite 24 Under Armour All American Game
A Year Later He Gets To Attend The Best Shooter In The World Basketball Camp And Wins MVP- Deron Rippey pic.twitter.com/SkF27qBwCE— Deron Rippey Sr. (@rippey_deron) August 16, 2025
The proud parent took to X and wrote, “I would like to thank @StephenCurry30 @CurrybrandSC @UnderArmour @TorWatts, and Rafi and Elliot for allow [sic] my son to participate in the Elite 24 Under Armour All American Game. A year later, he gets to attend the best shooter in the world basketball camp and wins MVP – Deron Rippey.”
Why Are North Carolina and Duke Leading the Chase for Rippey?
Rippey enters his senior season ranked as the No. 2 point guard in the 2026 class and holds consensus five-star prospect status. The MVP crown at Curry’s camp has only intensified the recruiting frenzy surrounding him. College programs are now lining up with their best pitches, knowing they’re competing for one of the premier guards in the country.
The Blair Academy star has scheduled 11 official visits this fall, creating one of the busiest recruiting calendars in the country. Miami gets the first opportunity, followed quickly by North Carolina over Labor Day weekend.
Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, Tennessee, and Syracuse all have secured spots on his itinerary. However, the North Carolina Tar Heels may hold the inside track in this recruitment.
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North Carolina has pursued Rippey aggressively throughout the process. Assistant coach Sean May watched him closely during AAU events, and Rippey openly admitted that UNC has been a “dream school” since childhood. The connection runs deep, with consistent communication building a strong relationship between player and program.
“They’ve been very consistent reaching out to me,” Rippey told 247 Sports, adding that head coach Hubert Davis wants him to come in and “make an impact.” The fit appears natural for a program historically built on elite guard play and fast-paced offensive systems.
What Makes Rippey Such a Coveted Prospect Among Blue Blood Programs?
The hype surrounding Rippey stems directly from his impressive on-court production. During AAU competition, he averaged 16.2 points, 5.3 assists, nearly five boards, and over two steals per game. These numbers showcase his ability to impact winning in multiple areas while serving as the primary facilitator for his team.
Rippey continues developing as both a shooter and decision-maker, posting a 34% three-point shooting percentage on the 3SSB circuit. This improved outside shooting has made him even more dangerous as a dual threat who can score or set up teammates depending on how defenses choose to play him.
5 PG Deron Rippey Jr. has been proving why he is one of the top guards in the country all summer @rippey_deron @NewHeightsNYC @3SSBCircuit pic.twitter.com/C3JpcFBKgq
— League Ready (@LeagueRDY) July 31, 2025
At the Adidas 3SSB Earn Your Stripes Invitational, he opened with 15 points and eight assists in a victory before following up with 21 points and five assists in a tough loss. Even when his team struggled, he kept attacking the rim and knocking down three-pointers, whipping passes to open teammates, and sparking momentum-changing runs with his defensive pressure.
This balance of scoring and playmaking makes Rippey the type of guard who can dictate the entire tempo of a game. While his game still needs more polish in certain areas, his ability to blow past defenders with his first step and finish above the rim is undeniable.
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That explosive combination explains why North Carolina, Duke, and a dozen other elite programs are throwing everything they have at landing his commitment.
The MVP trophy from Curry Camp represents just the beginning of what promises to be an intense recruiting battle. College basketball’s blue blood programs now await Rippey’s decision, knowing that landing him could reshape their backcourt for years to come.
