Louisville basketball is the frontrunner for 5-star PG

Louisville basketball is in prime recruiting mode right now, and the Cardinals are going all-in on multiple 5-stars. Recently, the NBA Players Association's Top 100 camp took place, and Pat Kelsey was in attendance, recruiting some of the top talent.

Louisville continues to trend with a few 5-star prospects in the 2026 class, but a name that keeps popping up more and more is the 5-star guard Deron Rippley Jr. The New Jersey native is emerging as one of Kelsey's top targets in the 2026 cycle, and Louisville is even the new favorite to land his commitment, per On3 Sports.

Louisville basketball is the frontrunner for 5-star PG — but there’s a major twist

Rippey is ranked as high as the No. 18 player in the nation and the No. 4 point guard and is the top recruit from New Jersey. The 5-star guard recently took a visit to Louisville, and while he was at the NBA Players Association Top 100 Camp, he told 247 Sports' Jody Demling that Louisville is exceptionally high on him, but there is a big roadblock that would cause him to commit elsewhere.

"The visit was fun, and they told me that I can come in and be the next point guard," Rippey stated, according to Demling. "It will be interesting to see what Mikel Brown does for his freshman year, and that will definitely give me some leeway in considering Louisville."

Rippey emerges as a perfect candidate to replace Brown if he decides to go one-and-done, but it is clear that if Brown stays another year, then Louisville won't need another point guard and definitely won't earn a commitment from a 2026 5-star guard.

The Cardinals love Brown, but it is becoming increasingly clear that the incoming freshman will be a one-and-done player and a top-10 pick. Brown won't be a roadblock for the 2026 class, and they won't have to worry about playing behind Brown or not getting a starting spot.

These 5-star point guards that Louisville is going after will want to be a top piece on the program they commit to. If Brown stays for his sophomore year, then Louisville will miss out on players like Rippey and Tay Kinney. It's a peculiar situation, but it's beneficial to have.

Louisville would love Brown to stay another year, but if he does decide to declare for the 2026 NBA Draft, then the Cardinals will emerge as a top landing spot for elite 5-star guards.

"I really like the style. Just watching Chucky Hepburn this season, he definitely had a great season, and that's a player I would look to emulate his play style. I would say sort of mimic his play style at the college level, and he had a great year."

Louisville is becoming a point guard university. Following the success of Chucky Hepburn, landing Brown and the potential he brings, and now trending towards multiple 5-star point guards, it is clear that these superstar guards love what Kelsey brings to the table.

"Coach Kelsey is great - he's very energetic," Rippey stated to Demling. "So being around him, I've gotten to see a little bit of his character, and I really like it."

The future of Brown and how he performs this upcoming season will impact not only the 2025-26 Cardinals but also the 2026 recruits. Louisville wants Brown to guide them to their first NCAA Title since 2013, and if he does that, it is clear he would declare for the NBA Draft. While it would be sad for him to leave, the Cardinals will also have the opportunity to land more 5-star point guards, build the program's future, and establish themselves as a top destination for 5-star recruits.

For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.