Syracuse Eyes NYC 5-Star Deron Rippey in Hot 2026 Recruiting Push

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University men's basketball recruiters are zeroing in on **Deron Rippey Jr.**, a five-star point guard from New York City, as part of an ambitious push for the 2026 class. Rippey, who made the 50-member preseason watch list for the 2025-26 Naismith Trophy boys high school player of the year, represents a homegrown talent the Orange desperately want to land. ESPN's recruiting board shows Syracuse with zero commits so far in the class, but the program has extended offers to top talents including Rippey and Jordan Smith Jr., the No. 2 overall prospect per 247Sports.

Rippey's local roots add high stakes for New York hoops fans, with the guard drawing interest from powerhouses nationwide as he competes for national honors during the 2025-26 high school season. Syracuse also eyes Smith, a five-star shooting guard from Paul VI Catholic in Virginia, who lists the Orange among his top six schools despite Duke emerging as the frontrunner. Other targets include unranked prospect Calvin Russell from Miami Northwestern, highlighting coach Adrian Autry's strategy to mix blue-chippers with under-the-radar gems.

The 2026 cycle pits Syracuse against elite programs for the nation's best, with 247Sports ranking Tyran Stokes of Rainier Beach as the No. 1 overall recruit. On3 lists Syracuse's full offers slate, signaling broad outreach as the Orange aim to rebound from recent classes and restore Carrier Dome glory. Central New York basketball faithful, from Syracuse suburbs to Buffalo, watch closely as recruiting heats up into 2026.