Timpview player Dean Rueckert (1) during the Section 7 high school boys tournament at State Farm Stadium in 2023 Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Report: Gonzaga recruiting 4-star 2026 prospect

Originally posted on Gonzaga Bulldogs on SI
By Cole Forsman | Last updated Mar 6, 2025 3:22 PM ET

Gonzaga is among the five teams that Dean Rueckert, a four-star recruit in the 2026 class, has been hearing from "the most frequently," according to a report from League Ready.

Rueckert, a 6-foot-6, 170-pound forward from Timpview High School (Utah), is the second-highest ranked recruit in the state of Utah according to 247Sports Composite. He's ranked No. 50 nationally on 247Sports and is a consensus top-20 small forward in the 2026 class across ESPN, On3.com and 247Sports.

The Bulldogs haven't offered Rueckert a scholarship, according to 247Sports.com, though some of the other teams he's been hearing from have made an offer, including BYU, Washington and Stanford. He's also heard from Louisville. Ruckert took an official visit to Washington this past fall.

2026 4⭐️ Dean Rueckert (@dean_rueckert) has been hearing from these schools the most frequently, he tells @LeagueRDY:

Louisville
BYU
Washington
Gonzaga
Stanford

Rueckert is a lengthy 6-7 wing prospect with an impressive jump-shot and versatile defensive ability. He took an… pic.twitter.com/R5vYHw6jFW
— Sam Kayser - 24/7 High School Hoops (@247HSHoops) March 6, 2025

Rueckert helped guide Timpview to a 20-6 record, including 8-2 in 5A Region 7 play, while averaging a team-high 18.6 points to go with 4.9 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. He scored 18 points and pulled down eight boards to lead the Thunderbirds past Alta in the Utah boy's basketball 5A state quarterfinal game last month.

The Bulldogs' 2026 recruiting class has yet to take any shape so far, outside of connections with four-star recruit Sam Funches, a 6-foot-10 center who's ranked among the top five players at his position in the 2026 class. As the Zags prepare for potentially another deep postseason run, they'll likely have an eye on the latest happening with the transfer portal, which is set to open March 24 — one day after the second round of the NCAA Tournament is set to conclude.