Title: “Carolina Blue in My Blood”: 5-Star PG Daron Rippey Jr. Names UNC His Dream School as 2026 Recruiting Battle Heats Up
Chapel Hill, NC — July 22, 2025
The North Carolina Tar Heels may be closing in on the future face of their program. Daron Rippey Jr., the electric 5-star point guard and consensus top-10 player in the 2026 class, has officially named UNC his “dream school” — sparking a surge of momentum in what’s quickly becoming one of the most closely watched recruitment stories in college basketball.
Rippey, a 6-foot-2 floor general from Montverde Academy in Florida, is known nationwide for his elite speed, court vision, and a motor that never quits. During his junior season, he averaged 22.1 points, 8.3 assists, 2.9 steals, and shot nearly 44% from three. Analysts have dubbed him “the next great Carolina point guard” — a label Rippey himself embraces.
> “Since I was a little kid, I wanted to wear Carolina blue,” he said after a Team USA scrimmage in Las Vegas. “I’ve watched every big UNC point guard — from Ty Lawson to Coby White to Caleb Love. That’s the standard. That’s the blueprint.”
Tar Heels Target Their Lead Guard of the Future
UNC head coach Hubert Davis and lead recruiter Sean May have made Rippey Jr. their top backcourt priority. The staff has been tracking him since early 2024, attending his AAU games with Team CP3, and bringing him in for an unofficial visit in May 2025. Sources close to the program say that visit may have been the turning point.
Rippey walked the Dean E. Smith Center, spent hours with assistant coaches in film sessions, and even participated in a closed-door shootaround with current Tar Heels — where, reportedly, he “lit up the gym.”
> “It didn’t feel like a visit,” Rippey told reporters. “It felt like a preview.”
Competition Remains Fierce
Despite UNC’s momentum, Kentucky, Kansas, Baylor, and Alabama are all heavily involved. John Calipari has personally visited Rippey twice, and Bill Self offered a significant NIL package in early July. But according to several recruiting insiders, Rippey’s comments have tilted the field.
> “Calling UNC his dream school this early is major,” said 247Sports analyst Jerry Meyer. “When a prospect of his stature says something that emotionally charged, it usually leads to commitment momentum — fast.”
What Makes Rippey Jr. Special?
Beyond the numbers, Rippey is praised for his rare blend of maturity and flair. His passing ability and leadership have earned comparisons to Jalen Brunson, while his finishing at the rim has shades of Ja Morant. Coaches rave about his gym-rat mentality and relentless drive.
“He’s got that Carolina DNA,” said ESPN’s Paul Biancardi. “Fast-paced, smart, unselfish, tough. UNC would thrive with him running the show.”
What’s Next?
Rippey is expected to announce a list of finalists this fall and plans to take official visits to UNC, Kentucky, and Baylor before making a final decision by March 2026. However, with UNC sitting at the top of his personal list — and strong mutual interest — the Tar Heels could be in position to land their future floor general sooner than expected.
If he commits, Rippey would become the first 5-star pledge in UNC’s 2026 class and could attract other top names — including 5-star wing Malik Harmon and center Josiah Banks.
The Verdict
Daron Rippey Jr. isn’t just another elite recruit — he’s the type of player who shifts a program’s trajectory. For UNC fans, his public declaration feels like the start of something special.
> “This is legacy stuff,” Rippey said. “I don’t just want to go to the NBA. I want to win in college — and win at North Carolina.”
The Carolina Blue sky just got a little brighter.
Note: This article is a work of factual fiction. While Daron Rippey Jr. is a real high school basketball prospect, this storyline is fictionalized for creative and entertainment purposes.
