BYU added the first piece to its 2026 recruiting class as 4-star wing Dean Rueckert announced his commitment to BYU. Dean chose BYU over other finalists Washington, Clemson, Utah, and Stanford. He committed to the Cougars one week after his official visit to BYU July 28-29.

Below is what Dean told me on why he committed to BYU:

“I chose BYU because I feel like it’s the right place to help me with basketball and my life. Coach Young & his staff believe in me and I know they can help me reach my goals to have a successful college career and play professionally. I also believe in what BYU stands for & Im excited to play for the best fan base in the world!”

Rated the #68 player in the 2026 class according to 247 Sports, Dean is a 6-foot-8 wing who is a high level shot maker. Dean is primarily an off-ball wing/guard who is a fantastic shooter and can also put the ball on the ball floor and score. One of his most impressive moments during the high school season was when his Timpview team went toe-to-toe with Tyran Stokes, the #1 recruit in the 2026 class, and his Notre Dame (CA) team which also has two other 4-star players in the 2026 class. Dean looked like the best player on the floor, finishing with 31 points on 6-9 shooting from deep and some highlight defensive plays.

Missions are very much a personal choice, but a player’s mission plans dictate when he will enroll in school. Dean’s dad tells me that Dean has decided not to serve a full-time proselytizing mission. He will enroll at BYU early in April for Spring semester and join the team for early offseason practices, similar to what AJ Dybantsa and Xavion Staton did. BYU loses guards/wings such as AJ Dybantsa, Richie Saunders, Dawson Baker, and Nate Pickens, so Dean will have a chance to come in right away and get minutes as a freshman. Dean will need to get stronger to handle to physicality in the Big 12, but his shooting and positional size will translate right away. Long-term, Dean has the ability to be a multi-year starter for BYU and one of the core pieces of the program.

Dean comes from a BYU family and has grown up around BYU athletics. He told me back in May 2024 that he grew up a big BYU fan used to watch Jimmer highlights “all the time.”

You watch highlights of Dean below from his matchup with Tyran Stokes, including an impressive block of Tyran at the beginning of the clip.