On Tuesday afternoon, five-star recruit, McDonald’s All-American, and the No. 6 player in the class of 2026, Bruce Branch III, announced his commitment to BYU.
Branch is a 6-foot-7, 195-pound wing out of Prolific Prep by way of Florida, though he is originally from Arizona. He was once rated as the top player in the 2027 class before reclassifying to 2026.
For coach Kevin Young, Branch becomes his third five-star commitment in as many years, following Egor Demin in 2024 and AJ Dybantsa in 2025.
On the court, Branch projects as an immediate impact player and NBA lottery-level talent.
He’s a dangerous perimeter shooter, an above-average athlete, and a smart, willing passer who consistently sees the floor well, especially in pick-and-roll situations where his lob passing stands out. He profiles as a day-one starter and a foundational piece Young can build his roster around heading into the offseason.
5⭐ senior Bruce Branch III commits to BYU 🚨👀
— SLAM HS Hoops (@SLAM_HS) March 3, 2026
He's ranked #6 overall in 2026 🔥🔥🔥@bkbranch3 @thegrindsession @slam_university pic.twitter.com/t7rxvqvkQP
Off the floor, Branch brings qualities that resonate just as strongly. Multiple outlets describe him as a "high-character player" who values family and fits seamlessly with BYU’s culture.
During his commitment announcement on NBA Today, Branch emphasized the lessons that guide him as he said, “Man, one thing my mom always taught me is, you know, respect others. That’s the most important thing, and it’s all I’ve done in my life.”
He also credited his younger brother for keeping him grounded when he needs it.
As for BYU, the next few weeks will likely decide whether the 2025 season, with the nation's No. 1 recruit, AJ Dybantsa, is remembered as one of the biggest “what ifs?” in program history.
Still, landing a player of Bruce Branch III’s caliber gives fans a real reason to turn the page quickly and feel optimistic about where the direction of the program.