Texas Longhorns Prepare for 2025 Basketball Season

Austin, Texas, September 9, 2025

News Summary

The Texas Longhorns men’s basketball team is excited for the 2025 season under new head coach Sean Miller, facing off against Duke in the season opener. Promising recruit Deron Rippey Jr. from New Jersey has trimmed his prospective schools, favoring Texas. With his official visit on the horizon, excitement builds for the commitment amidst fierce competition from elite programs.

Austin, Texas

The Texas Longhorns men’s basketball team is gearing up for an exciting 2025 season under new head coach Sean Miller. The season opener is set for November 4, where the Longhorns will face off against the Duke Blue Devils at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. This high-profile match serves as an electrifying start for Miller’s tenure with the Longhorns.

As Miller prepares his roster, the team recently received promising news regarding their recruitment of Deron Rippey Jr., a highly sought-after five-star point guard from New Jersey. For the 2026 recruiting class, Rippey Jr. has made notable adjustments to his official visit schedule, notably removing the Kansas Jayhawks and Indiana Hoosiers from his list of contenders. This decision positions Texas in a favorable light as they remain in the running for his commitment.

Currently, the Longhorns are competing against an impressive lineup of collegiate programs for Rippey Jr.’s attention, including Alabama, Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, North Carolina, NC State, Syracuse, and Tennessee. After managing to navigate through a competitive recruitment landscape, Texas has successfully secured a spot in the final ten schools under consideration by the promising young athlete.

Exciting Visits Ahead

The timeline for Rippey Jr.’s recruitment is unfolding with significant events. His official visit to Texas is scheduled for September 19, 2025. Before making his way to Austin, Rippey Jr. will visit Alabama on September 13, followed by a trip to Syracuse on September 26. His recruitment timeline highlights the mounting interest from powerhouses in college basketball, and Texas is looking to make a lasting impression during his visit.

Rippey Jr.’s Stellar Standing

Recognized as the No. 1 point guard and top prospect from New Jersey in the 2026 recruiting cycle, Rippey Jr. holds an impressive position in the 247Sports Composite Rankings. He ranks as the No. 11 overall player in the nation for his class, underlining his value and potential impact on any team he decides to join. 247Sports’ Director of Scouting has acclaimed Rippey Jr. for his explosiveness, athleticism, and strength on defense, indicating he possesses the tools necessary for success at the collegiate level.

However, there are some concerns regarding Rippey Jr.’s height as it could pose challenges in adapting to higher levels of play. Yet, his athletic prowess and determination could mitigate these obstacles, making him a desirable recruit for leading teams like Texas.

Texas Looking Ahead

Throughout the preparations for the upcoming 2025 season, the Texas Longhorns remain focused on securing Rippey Jr.’s commitment. The competition is fierce, but with strategic planning and the appeal of the Longhorns’ basketball program, Texas aims to solidify its position as a frontrunner in this extensive recruiting endeavor.

As the Longhorns start the season with great anticipation, the addition of a player like Rippey Jr. could be pivotal for the program’s long-term success. For now, all eyes are on the upcoming visit dates and the ongoing efforts by Miller and the Texas coaching staff to bring in the top talent in the nation.

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Additional Resources

• Texas Monthly
• Wikipedia: Texas Longhorns
• Sports Illustrated
• Google Search: Texas Longhorns
• The Daily Texan
• Google Scholar: Texas Longhorns
• On3
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas Longhorns
• 247Sports
• Google News: Texas Longhorns

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