Five-star forward Bruce Branch III committed to BYU basketball on Tuesday, announced live on ESPN's "NBA Today." Rated as the No. 6 recruit in the 2026 class by 247Sports, Branch chose the Cougars over offers from USC, Arizona, and Kansas. This marks the third consecutive recruiting class with a five-star prospect for coach Kevin Young.
Bruce Branch III, a 6-foot-7 forward from Gilbert, Arizona, announced his commitment to BYU during an appearance on ESPN's "NBA Today" on March 3, 2026. The five-star prospect, who plays for Prolific Prep in California, reclassified from the 2027 to the 2026 recruiting cycle this winter. His decision adds to BYU's strong haul under first-year coach Kevin Young, who previously secured five-star Egor Demin in the 2024 class and AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 recruit, in 2025.
Branch, with a 0.9974 composite score from 247Sports, becomes the second-highest-rated commit in program history, trailing only Dybantsa. He expressed enthusiasm about his future at BYU, stating, “I can see myself leading this team to a championship,” and added, “It just felt right.” Before the announcement, Branch grew emotional discussing his mother.
Scouts praise Branch's potential as a big wing with guard skills. Adam Finkelstein of 247Sports described him as “a big wing who is long and skilled with developing guard skills. His shooting is a legitimate, and still ascending, weapon.” Finkelstein noted Branch's 39% three-point shooting on five attempts per game in the 3SSB season, along with his 7-foot-1 wingspan, advanced footwork, and defensive fluidity.
Branch joins Dean Rueckert and Will Openshaw from Timpview High as high school commits in the 2026 cycle. Other members include KJ Perry and Abdullah Ahmed, making him the fifth overall pledge. He selected BYU over USC, with interest from Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, and Arizona. Branch is projected as a top candidate for the 2027 NBA Draft.
