BYU’s newest freshman phenom is officially on campus.
Five-star prospect Bruce Branch III, who committed to the Cougars this past March, has made it to Provo, where he’s taking his first few college classes and practicing with his new teammates.
Branch is the second-highest rated signee in program history (during the 247 Sports era) behind only AJ Dybantsa, who he’ll look to follow as another top NBA draft prospect out of BYU.
The 6-foot-7 small forward out of Prolific Prep appeared on “BYU Sports Nation” Monday to discuss his move to Provo, his fit at BYU and plenty more.
Here are some of the notable highlights from Bruce Branch’s TV appearance.
On taking spring semester classes at BYU
“I love it. It’s a lot easier than I thought it would be. In high school, teachers like to say college is hard, don’t take it for granted. But I’m loving it. It’s real simple. It’s really easy, and I’m getting all my work done.”
On spending time with fellow freshmen Dean Rueckert and Brooks Bahr
“I love them, those are my guys. We go everywhere.
“We were hiking the Y the other day. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be. The legs were burning a lot, we started running towards the end, so the legs were burning.
“But we decided we’re going to hike every Saturday, it’s like a little team bonding thing. Hopefully one day we get the whole team to do it. I have plans in the future where we could do a charity or something with it.”
On fitting in naturally at BYU so far
“I would say thanks to my mom. She’s a social butterfly, so I learned everything from her.
“When it comes to just talking to people and knowing people, it’s really easy with me. So just getting to know the guys and playing around, I love them all. Great personalities, great people, real respectful, real kind, the type of people I want to hang around.”
On committing to BYU
“The reason I committed was because the basketball part is going to come, but in terms of just being around the right people and knowing that you’re going to be a better person by hanging around those people, it really got me emotional. All the sacrifices I (made), all the sacrifices my mom (made) especially.
“... I just thank God and just thank everyone, my mom, my trainers, everyone for this opportunity. I love BYU, go Cougs.”
On when he knew BYU was where he wanted to commit
“It was definitely the first hour of my visit, I would say. I wanted to commit right there. The people were so nice, so respectful, so kind.
“Again, the basketball part is going to come, but just knowing you’re going to be around the right people and those people are going to make you a better person, it was just it for me.
“I want to win. I hate losing more than I love winning. So I don’t want to lose, I want to win every game. I want to take BYU to the finals, because y’all deserve it. So just that pitch and the game plan, it was, I was speechless. It was spot-on, exactly what I want.
“And then you have the mountains, it’s not as cold out here as I thought it was. It’s beautiful weather, the mountains. Everything was checking the box. It was beautiful. It was amazing.”
On who he believes is his NBA player comp
“I love Paul (George). I wouldn’t say a player comp, but Tyrese Maxey, I train with him a lot. Great person to look up to.
“You got Anfernee (Simons), you got Devin Booker, Kevin Durant. But I say Paul George though. I like Paul George’s game because his game is real smooth and that’s where I’m trying to be at.”
On playing in the Big 12
“It’s not going to be easy. It’s going to be really, really hard.
“... Every game is going to be a dog fight. Every game you’re going to have to give it everything you’ve got, and so that’s what I’m excited about.
“There’s not going to be (blowouts), it’s not going to be, ‘We won by 30, we won by 40.’ It’s going to be, ‘Oh, we won by three, we won by five, we won by seven.’
“That’s the type of games I’m excited for, I cannot wait.”
On his excitement for playing in the Marriott Center
“I was talking to Rob (Wright III) about this the other day, hitting a 3 or just dunking on someone, and then the crowd just yelling and screaming, oh my goodness, it’s going to get me hype. It’s going to be wild.
“... I’m so excited for that. Even away games, the whole crowd chanting against you, that just fuels the fire. I can’t wait, bro. I’m so excited. It’s not even pressure, for real, it’s more like they’re all rooting for you. So your confidence just skyrockets. I’m so excited.”
On his current strengths on the court
“I say in terms of creating my shot in the mid-range area, if that’s on the post, stuff like that. I’m really working on being more of a leader, being more vocal in the gym, trying to be the loudest one.
On what he’s currently working to improve
“I weigh 200 pounds. Before the season, I would like to be 215, so I need to work on eating. That’s what I need to work on.
“I’m skinny. 200 pounds is not enough for the Big 12. I need 215 on these bones!”
