Duke now losing ground on UNC for another prized 2026 five-star recruit

NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament - Final Four Week - San Antonio | Alex Slitz/GettyImagesClass of 2026 five-star prospect Deron Rippey Jr. has cut his list of potential schools down to 12, and the Duke basketball program has made it on there. Rippey includes Duke in the list along with North Carolina, Kentucky, Alabama, Miami, Syracuse, Texas, Louisville, Kansas, NC State, Indiana, and Tennessee.

This isn't the only top prospect who's considering UNC and NC State along with the Blue Devils, as five-star forward Miikka Muurinen also has the three North Carolina schools in his final seven.

However, the Tar Heels have a big advantage in the recruitment of Muurinen, as the Finnish big man's…