This summer, Deron Rippey Jr.’s phone has been inundated with calls, generating over 40 offers from top-tier programs. He has visited Miami and North Carolina and met with Kentucky’s Mark Pope and Duke’s Jon Scheyer in person. For the 6-foot-2 guard from Blair Academy, the recruiting frenzy is at its peak.
While the elite programs vie for his attention, NC State’s Will Wade is making strategic moves that could shift the dynamics entirely. The crucial question is not if Wade can hold his own against basketball’s top institutions, but whether he can persuade Rippey that constructing something new is more appealing than joining an established program.
Will Wade’s Strategy: Positioning NC State as a Strong Contender
Rippey has already taken official visits to Miami and North Carolina and has hosted in-person visits from Kentucky’s Pope and Duke’s Scheyer. In the midst of this buzz, Will Wade from NC State is making a calculated push for Rippey, which could shape the Wolfpack’s 2025-26 season significantly.
Recently, Dushawn London from 247 Sports highlighted that Wade and Andrew Slater had an in-home visit with the five-star point guard. Even with an official visit planned for NC State on November 7, Wade is proactively seeking to secure the 6’2″ guard.
NC State head coach Will Wade and Andrew Slater completed an in-home visit with 5-star point guard Deron Rippey Jr. https://t.co/0Fe0mOXtYw pic.twitter.com/Awj7I3roSl
— Dushawn London (@DushawnLondon1) September 8, 2025
Wade combines experience and a compelling pitch to attract Rippey. As noted by Jon Rothstein, NC State may be on the verge of something significant this season. “NC State hired the right guy,” Rothstein stated. “Will Wade has a proven track record of revitalizing programs, boasting a success rate of about 70%, leading McNeese to its inaugural NCAA tournament victory, and winning an SEC regular-season title at LSU.”
His past achievements support this claim. At Chattanooga, he vastly improved the team, achieving a 40-25 record in two seasons. He maintained competitiveness at VCU, winning 51 games and advancing to the NCAA tournament twice. At LSU, his tenure included a 105-51 record and an SEC championship, while McNeese recorded an impressive 57-10 in his two years and secured its first NCAA tournament win.
As Rothstein emphasizes, “Believing in the head coach fosters hope for a turnaround. The head coach is pivotal.” Now at NC State, which ended the 2024-25 season with a 12-19 record, Wade’s strategy and recruitment could ignite a significant transformation. His plan could reintegrate the Wolfpack into the national discourse, with Rippey potentially serving as the driving force.
Rippey holds an impressive individual record, renowned for his speed on the court and success in fast-paced plays. Known for his relentless defense and game-changing offensive contributions, his athleticism and versatility could integrate perfectly with Wade’s system. Recently, during the Adidas 3SSB circuit, he averaged 16.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, alongside hitting 34% from the three-point line.
