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photo: Deron Rippey Jr., by @shotbydenny
If you didn’t know, Fort Greene has another national basketball name in its midst.
Deron Rippey Jr., a Brooklyn-native standout and the most highly recruited point guard in the country, will announce his college commitment on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. The ceremony will take place at the Major R. Owens Center in Brooklyn, with doors opening at 3:00 p.m.
Rippey Jr. lives in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, but his game has taken him across state lines to Blair Academy in New Jersey, an elite prep school known nationally for academics and a high-level basketball program that consistently produces Division I talent.
A 6’1 point guard in the Class of 2026, Rippey Jr. has emerged as one of the premier guards in his class, drawing attention from the biggest programs in the country and building a reputation as a poised floor general who can score, create, and lead.
Rippey Jr.’s recruitment has been one of the most competitive in the nation. He’s received more than 30 Division I scholarship offers overall, including opportunities from Kentucky, North Carolina, St. John’s, Louisville, Syracuse, Alabama, and many others.
According to his father, Rippey Jr. has narrowed his decision to five schools:
His commitment will be a major moment not only for the programs involved, but for Brooklyn basketball fans tracking the rise of another hometown star on a national path.
Rippey Jr.’s announcement is scheduled as follows:
Commitment Announcement: Tuesday, 12/30/25
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Doors Open: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Major R. Owens Center
Address: 1561 Bedford Ave.
Setting: New Heights Gym
Rippey Jr.’s decision comes as Fort Greene is also buzzing about another major headline tied to basketball and community roots. In recent weeks, NBA veteran Taj Gibson and Alloy Development announced plans for a significant development at the former site of the Navy Yard Boys & Girls Club, a project connected to the neighborhood where Gibson grew up and long symbolized youth opportunity.
Together, the timing feels symbolic: while one Fort Greene product is helping shape what the neighborhood becomes next, another Brooklyn resident is preparing to take the next step toward the sport’s biggest stages.
For Fort Greene, and for Brooklyn, Deron Rippey Jr.’s upcoming announcement is more than a recruiting update. It’s the latest proof that the borough continues to produce national-level talent, with the spotlight now turning to where one of the country’s top young point guards will play his college basketball.