Louisville basketball is emerging as a top landing spot for high school superstars. The Cardinals' incoming freshman, Mikel Brown Jr., is the second-highest commit in program history. The 5-star point guard appears to be a trendsetter, as this Louisville basketball program is in contact with and receiving visits from multiple 5-star 2026 superstars.
Brown was the first domino to commit to Pat Kelsey and the Cardinals, and fans are now hoping many more will follow. Louisville is hopeful they can replicate ACC rival Duke Blue Devils' Final Four run from last season, earn multiple 5-star commits, and round up competing for a National Championship.
Louisville basketball assistant coach Jermaine Ukaegbu recently visited 5-star point guard Deron Rippey Jr., and now the elite point guard has taken time to break down what makes Louisville so special.
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Louisville basketball gaining traction with elite 5-star point guard
ZAGSBLOG interviewed Rippey Jr., and he talked about every school he has visited so far, both official and unofficial. The 5-star point guard officially visited Louisville in November 2024 when the Cardinals played the Tennessee Volunteers.
The New Jersey native attends Blair Academy, where he led his team to back-to-back State Championships after being named the New Jersey Player of the Year in his Junior season. Rippey recently competed at the Adidas 3SSB camp, averaging 15 points, four rebounds, four assists, and more than two steals per game. Louisville basketball was in attendance watching him at the event, and after session two, the 5-star took time to break down his recruitment process.
“It was fun." Ripey Jr. stated. "It was my first official visit. I think it was a chance for me to get up on a campus and see what an official visit is going to feel like, and what a school has to offer me, and what they plan to see from me and my future. It was a great visit."
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound guard is ranked as the 8th-best player in the class and the 4th-best point guard, per On3 Sports. His visit with the Cardinals was crucial, as Kelsey and Louisville were not only the first programs to give him an official visit, but he also got to experience the culture and energy of the Louisville basketball program.
"They don’t have a professional basketball team, so their basketball culture, and fan and celebration, I guess you could say, is really high level." Rippey Jr. explained about the culture. "Louisville, I learned about that rivalry with Kentucky. They really hate each other. But it’s just a great place, and I’m just excited to get back up there and see what they have to offer me."
The 5-star point guard has received over 32 offers from elite programs like Villanova, Alabama, St. John's, Kansas, North Carolina, and more. According to the article and Rivals, Rippey has visited six schools, including Louisville. Rutgers has received three visits already and emerges as the favorite to land the elite guard.
According to On3 Sports, Rutgers has a 35.8 percent chance, Villanova has a 31.3 percent chance, and Louisville has a 20.3 percent chance.
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For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.