Bruce Branch III is the latest 5-star recruit to choose BYU

Top-10 senior Bruce Branch III committed to BYU, giving coach Kevin Young his third consecutive five-star recruit with a recruiting class.

Branch made his announcement Tuesday on ESPN’s NBA Today.

Branch reclassified from the Class of 2027 to the senior class in November, when BYU quickly emerged as the favorite. He also visited USC in recent weeks, but the Cougars have been the likely destination for most of the winter.

“I wanted to go to a place that felt like a family, had great academics and really focused on basketball,” Branch told ESPN. “I see myself leading this team to a championship. It just feels right.”

Since Young took over in Provo in 2024, BYU has leaned heavily on building the roster around big wings, starting with Egor Demin in 2024-25 and continuing with AJ Dybantsa this season. Branch, a 6-foot-7 wing, will be next in line.

“Their plan is to put me in a position to be the best version of myself,” Branch said. “Coach talked about my experience coaching archetypes and how the type of player I am can be very successful in his system and how that leads to winning, which is the most important thing to me.”

Branch said Young developed a vision for him to develop during his time in Provo, using the aforementioned examples of Demin and DiBantsa, among others.

“He has a concrete plan that makes sense to me and is very clearly defined,” Branch said. “I will be held accountable and developed every day. I want to be in that position.

“I think creating for others, shooting 3s off the dribble, in pick-and-roll or catch-and-shoot situations reminds Coach Young of players he’s had success with in the past. He talks about Devin Booker, AJ and Igor Denim. Paired with my defensive attributes, you want to play a teammate.”

Branch was the No. 2 prospect in 2027 before moving to the 2026 class, where he is currently No. 6 in the SC Next 100. The prolific prep (Florida) product turned 17 in October, meaning he became eligible for the 2027 NBA draft after his reclassification.

He averaged 15.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per game on the adidas 3SSB circuit last spring and summer for the Compton Magic program, shooting 39% from 3-point range, according to Synergy. He is making 38% of his at Prolific this season.

Shows wingspan and offensive versatility that is impressive for a big wing. He can score from anywhere on the floor and could serve as a secondary ball handler in the future. As he figures out how to better use his leverage and frame to deal with smaller defenders, Branch will become more of a ball handler. He shoots well off the catch and attacks closeouts so he can go for his midrange pull-ups or drive to the rim.

Defensively, he has excellent upside with a 7-1 wingspan combined with his quickness and willingness to stay in front of the ball.

Branch is the third member of BYU’s recruiting class, as former G League center Abdullah Ahmed stepped up to join this year’s team and junior college transfer KJ Perry enrolled early and is redshirting this season. Still in the Cougars’ 2026 group are SC Next 100 forward Dean Ruckert and in-state center Will Openshaw.