3. Deron Rippey Jr. - PG
One target in the 2026 class that Louisville has heavily recruited is the 5-star point guard out of New Jersey, Deron Rippey Jr. The Cardinals extended their offer to the 5-star point guard last June and have since made his updated list, where he cut his contending schools to just 12.
Rippey has emerged as one of Kelsey's top targets in the class after he earned over 40 offers, and is ranked as high as No. 17 in the country, and No. 2 in the point guard position. Louisville has watched multiple games of his as he won the Adidas Palmetto Road Championships MVP award
and averaged 16.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.6 steals in five games.
The 5-star guard also proved he is one of the best scorers in the nation after he averaged 21.7 points, 4.3 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game at the NBPA Top 100 Camp.
Louisville was once the favorite to land the 5-star commitment after they earned an official visit last November however, since the Cardinals have now dropped to the third best percentage to gain his commitment.
Related: Louisville fans holding breath after 5-star PG and top target names final 12