BYU fans should be liking what they see from Bruce Branch III this week.
The Cougars’ incoming five-star freshman is currently in Leon, Mexico, playing for Team USA in the FIBA U18 Americup, where he’s enjoyed a pair of solid outings thus far in group play.
Tuesday against Mexico, Branch posted a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds in Team USA’s convincing 107-50 victory.
He made 3 of 5 from the field and dished out four assists, proving effective defensively with two steals and a block.
In Monday’s tournament-opening win over Argentina, Branch played 16 minutes and provided seven points, six rebounds (including three on the offensive glass), an assist and a steal.
While he went just 1 of 5 on free throws against Argentina, Branch responded the next night against Mexico by netting all four of his attempts from the line.
Through two Americup games, Branch ranks fifth on Team USA in points, second in rebounds and third in assists.
Team USA will conclude group play Thursday against Brazil, with the winner advancing directly to Saturday’s tournament semifinal. If Branch and his teammates can defeat Brazil, they would be two wins away from capturing the USA’s eight consecutive Americup gold medal.
Each FIBA U18 Americup game can be streamed live on FIBA’s YouTube page.
Bruce Branch III’s Team USA teammates and coaches
- Quentin Coleman: 5-star shooting guard at Illinois
- Adan Diggs: 5-star combo guard in the class of 2027
- Caleb Gaskins: 5-star power forward at Miami
- Demarcus Henry: 5-star small forward in the class of 2027
- Jasiah Jervis: 4-star shooting guard at Michigan State
- Malachi Jordan: 5-star small forward in the class of 2027
- Taylen Kinney: 5-star point guard at Kansas
- Colben Landrew: 5-star small forward at UConn
- Ethan Taylor: 4-star center at Michigan State
- Davion Thompson: 5-star point guard in the class of 2027
- Darius Wabbington: 5-star center in the class of 2027
- Anthony Grant: Head coach at Dayton
- Nate Oats: Head coach at Alabama
- Matt Langel: Head coach at Colgate