Just less than a year ago, the BYU Cougars basketball program got a commitment from the top high school basketball prospect in the country in the Class of 2025, AJ Dybantsa.
On Saturday, arguably the top prospect in the Class of 2027 — Bruce Branch III, a 6-foot-7, 190-pound small forward who plays at nationally renowned Prolific Prep in California — announced that he is reclassifying to the Class of 2026, and BYU is reportedly in the running for his services.
Even though Branch is going to graduate from high school a year earlier than previously anticipated, he is still considered one of the top players in his new class. For example, 247 Sports now has him ranked as the No. 8 prospect in the Class of 2026 after having him ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2027.
In a story about Branch’s announcement Saturday, ESPN’s Jeff Borzello reported that Branch “hasn’t taken any official visits and has yet to truly dive into his recruitment, but the likes of Kentucky, Kansas, Louisville, USC, BYU, Arizona, Houston and Miami are all in pursuit. A springtime decision is the expectation.”