BYU basketball’s 2026 recruiting class has gotten off to a strong start with the commitment of four-star wing Dean Rueckert. Rueckert, a 6’8″ sharpshooting wing from Timpview High School in Provo, Utah, chose BYU over finalists Clemson, Utah, Stanford, and Washington. He’s ranked 63rd overall by 247Sports and is considered a potential starting-caliber player for the Cougars.

Key Players in BYU’s 2026 Recruiting Class:

– Dean Rueckert: A four-star wing with exceptional shooting ability, capable of attacking the rim and providing defensive presence.
– Austin Goosby: A four-star guard ranked slightly higher than Rueckert by 247Sports. He’s set for an official visit to BYU on September 26-28 and has offers from Duke.
– KJ Perry: A JUCO point guard with explosive playmaking abilities. He’s set for an official visit to BYU on September 11-12 and has offers from Kansas, Oregon, USC, and TCU.
– Anthony Felesi: A four-star guard/wing with top-notch defensive skills. He’s taking an official visit to BYU and has offers from Pitt, SDSU, UCLA, USC, and Louisville.
– Baba Oladotun: A five-star wing with Kevin Durant-like scoring abilities. BYU offered him in June, and his recruitment is being handled by his dad, Ibrahim, a Virginia Tech alum.
– Jalen Montonati: A five-star forward with exceptional shooting skills. BYU offered him in May, and he’s expected to take a visit to BYU.

Recruiting Updates:

– Rueckert will enroll at BYU in April for the spring semester and is expected to compete for playing time immediately.
– BYU’s coaching staff is aggressively pursuing other top recruits, including Goosby, Felesi, and Perry.
– The live periods for recruiting are crucial, and BYU coaches will be attending events like the Peach Jam to evaluate potential recruits.

BYU’s Recruiting Strategy:

– Focus on multi-year players who can contribute to the team’s success in the long term.
– Utilize the transfer portal to fill gaps in the roster.
– Prioritize players who fit the team’s playing style and values ¹ ².