K-State keeping an eye on 2019 PG Dean

Kansas State lost one of their top 2019 targets in the backcourt recently when Trey McGowens of Virginia reclassified to the Class of 2018 and committed to Jeff Capel and Pitt all at once.

The decision to head to Pitt was one that developed rapidly since the program had just hired its new head coach barely more than a week before. However, there was always speculation that he could reclassify if the opportunity presented itself.

The Wildcats put in a lot of recruiting work to have other options lined up. Everyone knows about Kevin McCullar of Texas. Other alternatives include Kyky Tandy of Kentucky and James Bishop of the Baltimore area.

One that has not been discussed much is Deuce Dean of Columbia, South Carolina.

Dean's only other current Power Five offer outside of K-State is from Virginia Tech. However, he’s received plenty of interest from Clemson, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Georgia Tech, Florida, Virginia, Wake Forest and Duke as well.

The first AAU session was last weekend and the next one is this upcoming weekend. College coaches from all over have been in attendance evaluating all of the prospects. It will be a strong opportunity for him to garner even more interest and offers. Bruce Weber saw Dean last weekend and plans to again.

“They have shown me some interest lately,” Dean said. “They’ve just been telling me that they’re going to continue to watch me. They are going to come this weekend and watch me again.”

Though he holds an offer from the Wildcats, their interest hasn’t been consistent or as strong as some others that have yet to offer. That’s just the way recruiting works sometimes, and he’s taking it in stride.

“My relationship with them has been kind of on and off,” he explained. “On a scale of 1-10 on how hard they’re recruiting me, I’d say it’s a 5. But I’m receiving plenty of interest from plenty of ACC and SEC schools, too.”

That doesn’t mean he’s turned off by Kansas State. He’s still interested, as they are in him. And he can focus more on the schools recruiting him and how to proceed with his process after the AAU sessions in April and May.

For now, he just has to perform at a high level.

If the Wildcats want to pursue him, they’re still in the mix enough to make an impact.

“I definitely like Kansas State,” Dean said. “I like the way they get after it on the court and let their guards fly around. I like their style of basketball.”