Prolific Prep Crew guard Bruce Branch III. Jonah Hinebaugh/Naples Daily News/USA Today Network-Florida / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Five-star SF Bruce Branch III chooses BYU over USC, host of others

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Mar 3, 2026 8:46 PM ET

Small forward recruit Bruce Branch III from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Prolific Prep) is one of the top hoops recruits in the 2026 class.

He boasts offers from some of the biggest basketball schools in the country. That list includes, but is not limited to, Arizona, Houston, Kansas, Indiana, LSU, Louisville, Tennessee, USC and UCLA.

Branch was originally a class of 2027 recruit, but he reclassified into the 2026 senior class last winter, and all of a sudden, head coach Kevin Young and the BYU Cougars took center stage in his recruitment.

He flirted a bit with USC recently, but ultimately, the five-star wing decided to commit to BYU. He'll be playing college basketball in Provo next season.

"I wanted to go to a place that felt like a family, had great academics, and was really focused on basketball," Branch told ESPN's Jeff Borzello and Paul Biancardi regarding his decision. "I can see myself leading this team to a championship. It just felt right."

Before announcing his college commitment to BYU, Bruce Branch III got emotional talking about his mom

He is the No. 6 recruit in the @SCNext Class of 2026. pic.twitter.com/EhxTcxd60F
— ESPN (@espn) March 3, 2026

BYU Cougars, Kevin Young will know how to use Bruce Branch III

Branch checks in at 6-foot-7, 195 pounds, and he believes he fits exactly what Young and BYU are looking for in a top prospect.

Young likes to use big, lanky wings, and he's had great success with guys like Egor Demin and AJ Dybantsa. When he was an assistant with the Phoenix Suns before getting the BYU gig, he worked a lot with Devin Booker.

BYU's pitch to Branch is that he can become like these players.

"I think my ability to create for others, shoot the 3 off the dribble, off pick-and-rolls, or in catch-and-shoot situations reminds coach Young of players he has had in the past who have been successful," Branch said. "He speaks about Devin Booker, AJ, and Egor Demin. Paired with my defensive attributes, that's what coach Young wants in a player."

Only 17, Branch averaged 15.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per game on the Adidas 3SSB circuit in 2025. According to ESPN, he's the No. 3 small forward in the country.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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