Growing up in Provo, Dean Rueckert saw his fair share of BYU athletes around town. Whenever he did, he always asked for a photo with them.
The tables have since turned for Rueckert, now a freshman Cougar hooper being recognized by fans in public, finding himself in those same shoes he once approached as a youngster — even if he’s sometimes mistaken for teammate Collin Chandler, which always gives him a chuckle.
“It’s super weird,” Rueckert laughingly told the Deseret News of his newfound local celebrity status. “I’m like, ‘You really want a picture with me?’ Like, that’s kind of funny.
“But looking back at how much I loved BYU basketball players and all BYU athletes, whenever I’d see them out in public, I’d always want a picture, so I just want to leave a good impression, try to make kids happy, make them feel special, because I know how special that was to me when I was little.”
Rueckert has bled blue his entire life. Jimmer Fredette was both his “idol” and Halloween costume back in the day. Tyler Haws, Chase Fischer and Kyle Collinsworth each emerged as Rueckert’s role models, and most recently, Richie Saunders became an on-court inspiration for him as well.
Years of loyal fandom have led Rueckert onto the same Marriott Center hardwood where his past heroes once roamed, as the 6-foot-8, sharpshooting 4-star forward out of Timpview High will make his BYU debut this season just a stone’s throw from his childhood home.
“When I was little, I loved BYU. I was obsessed with all things BYU. I always really dreamed of going to BYU,” Rueckert said, flashing the contagious smile he’s seemingly rarely without.
“When I started getting recruited, I really had to think about what the best option is, which school was going to be the best fit and everything, and it ended up being BYU. It was just the best fit all around. I just love BYU. I grew up right here, and so it’s super exciting to be able to see this all play out.”
A two-time Deseret News 5A State Player of the Year honoree (who once scored 46 points in a matchup against LeBron James’ son, Bryce), Rueckert averaged 20.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game during his senior campaign at Timpview, ranking as a top 100 recruit nationally and the No. 4 player in Utah.
When he committed to the Cougars in August of 2025 over fellow finalists Utah, Clemson, Washington and Stanford, Rueckert became the No. 7 highest-rated BYU signee of the 247Sports era.
“The coaching staff has a lot of NBA experience and has had good seasons here, and they’re getting guys to the next level, too,” Rueckert said. “I feel like I fit (Kevin Young’s) play style, too. Seeing what he’s done at BYU and how he’s really brought everything to the next level, I just think he really knows how to run a program.
“But also, I love what BYU stands for, and I really want to represent that and make the most of that. Because I’ve grown up around it and everything, it’s super exciting to be able to carry that on the best I can.”
Rueckert graduated from Timpview early and enrolled at BYU in April, and since then he’s garnered plenty of praise from in and around the program for how he’s performed during offseason workouts.
“He’s been super impressive with his motor. I mean, you could have him in there for 10 hours a day and he wouldn’t blink,” Young told reporters of Rueckert in June.
“He’s just been really impressive with his work ethic. I love his shooting. That was the thing that really drew me to him, but you’re also talking about a 6-foot-8 legitimate athlete as well. I think the sky’s the limit for Dean, honestly. He’s a young kid that’s barely scratching the surface.”
Like Fredette, Haws and Fischer before him, Rueckert’s calling card has been his deep shooting, as he made an efficient 40% of nearly 200 3-point attempts as a senior.
While Rueckert always wants to remain a strong shotmaker, he feels his best avenue to impact winning right away will come by improving on the glass and as a defender.
Such a pursuit has involved training with Collinsworth — Rueckert’s onetime “favorite player” turned “good friend” — to learn from one of BYU’s most prolifically well-rounded players of all time.
“He’s ‘Mr. Triple-Double.’ He could just do everything,” Rueckert said of Collinsworth. “He’s helped me to expand my game just from wanting to shoot and play offense to getting down, playing defense and rebounding.
“That’s been a pretty big emphasis, and something that I’ve improved on since I started working out with him. ...I think if you’re playing hard and focusing on rebounding and defense, everything else will fall into place.”
As for his NBA influences, Rueckert never tied himself to a single team but “had a bunch of Steph (Curry) jerseys” growing up and also admired MVP talents in Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Dirk Nowitzki.
“I’ve always wanted to play in the NBA. I’ve always loved the NBA,” Rueckert said.
When asked about his NBA player comp, however, Rueckert was quick to point to Saunders, citing the new Memphis Grizzlies’ second-rounder’s point-five mastery on the wing.
“He has a high level of catch-and-shoot, and then he’s so quick off the dribble,” Rueckert said. “That’s where I kind of see my game and where I want to get better.
“How he developed (at BYU), how he fit in the offense and how he used his game, his quickness and skillset the best way he could, that was really exciting.”
Saunders, of course, came off the bench for two years in Provo before famously breaking out into one of college basketball’s most prominent players. Similarly, Rueckert should factor into BYU’s upcoming rotation, but the bar will be high for earning consistent opportunities within such a deep, veteran-heavy roster.
Perhaps Rueckert will eventually develop into the same caliber of Cougar player he grew up idolizing. With his projected ceiling, it’s certainly possible.
Even so, Rueckert’s focus lies strictly in the present. He’s spent his whole life dreaming of playing for BYU. Now that he’s there, he’s embracing reality, where “learning, getting better” and “finding ways to make a difference” will both dictate his freshman campaign and allow him and his teammates to dream even bigger together.
“Rebounding, playing hard and playing defense, playing hard defense, I think that’s how you can get on the floor and how you can make a difference,” Rueckert said.
“... It all will kind of fall together pretty soon, but I just want to play whatever role can help our team win and help us have a successful season.”
