BY ALEJANDRO LOPEZ
BYU has secured one of the best prospects in the Class of 2026.
Five-star prospect Bruce Branch III will play for the Cougars next season, he announced on Tuesday.
“Next year I’ll be playing college basketball at BYU,” he announced on ESPN.
“I can see myself leading this team to a championship,” Branch told ESPN’s Paul Biancardi. “It just felt right.”
The 6-foot-7 forward chose BYU over USC but had offers from high profile programs such as Louisville, Kentucky and Kansas.
“We are thrilled for Bruce and his committment to BYU,” Prolific Prep coach Ryan Bernardi told ZAGSBLOG. “He has had a fantastic year with us due to his 2-way prowess. He will follow the large footsteps quite well at BYU.”
Before announcing his college commitment to BYU, Bruce Branch III got emotional talking about his mom 🥺
— ESPN (@espn) March 3, 2026
He is the No. 6 recruit in the @SCNext Class of 2026. pic.twitter.com/EhxTcxd60F
Branch marks another big time recruit for Cougars head coach Kevin Young who is currently coaching the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft AJ Dybantsa.
Branch is the No. 8 prospect in the Class of 2026, according to 247Sports.
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