Louisville basketball's recruiting skyrocketed this past offseason as the Cardinals landed a consensus 5-star, Mikel Brown Jr., the No. 1 point guard in the class of 2025.
The Cardinals assume Brown will declare for the NBA Draft in 2026, as after the McDonald's All-American camp and game, his draft stock skyrocketed and is entering the top 10 conversations. With Brown likely leaving the Cardinals after the 2025-26 season, it appears head coach Pat Kelsey and his assistant coach Jermaine Ukaegbu are wasting no time finding Brown's replacement.
The Cardinals' assistant coach was reported to be scouting and in attendance for a workout for a 5-star point guard in the class of 2026.
Louisville basketball's AC attends 5-star PG workout
Deron Rippey Jr., a 5-star point guard out of New Jersey, held a workout on Wednesday morning, and Rippey father announced on X that the Cardinals assistant coach was in attendance.
The 5-star recruit is the No. 1 prospect out of New Jersey after leading Blair Academy to back-to-back State Championships. Rippey is ranked as high as the No. 8 best player in the nation and the No. 4 best point guard, per On3 Sports.
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Thanks @LouisvilleMBB Assistant Coach Jermaine Ukaegbu For Coming Out This Morning To See PG 6’3 180 Deron Rippey Jr . 26 @BlairAcademyMBB @NewHeightsNYC #Grateful
— Deron Rippey Sr. (@rippey_deron) April 16, 2025
Ron- Ron Was Name @Gatorade POY In New Jersey, Won Back To Back State Championship And Won 3 @MAPLAthletics Titles pic.twitter.com/v0KtfC7up5
On3 currently gives Pat Kelsey and the Cardinals the third-best chance to land Rippey. Rutgers has a 35.8 percent chance, Villanova has a 31.3 percent chance, and the Cardinals have a 20.3 percent chance. Rippey was named the New Jersey Player of the Year after his Junior season, and in his sophomore season, he averaged 14 points, 5.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound guard recently stated that the Cardinals are in his top nine for most active school, per Joe Tipton. The 5-star guard visited Louisville in November.
“I was there for the Tennessee game," Rippey stated per Joe Tipton. "We were there for the walk-through and shoot around. I got to see how Coach Kelsey brought he energy the whole day. The whole program was totally engaged. I think they’re going to have a good season, definitely better than what they’ve done the past couple of years.”
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The Cardinals attending the practice is a great sign that Louisville is all-in on this elite point guard in the 2026 class. Kelsey is becoming one of the best recruiters in the nation, and if he can land a 5-star point guard in back-to-back classes, this program will become a top landing spot for recruits out of high school for many years.