Bruce Branch III is two wins away from a gold medal.
BYU’s freshman forward posted his second straight double-double in the FIBA U18 Americup Thursday against Brazil, helping Team USA advance to Saturday’s tournament semifinal.
Branch scored 12 points with a game-high 14 rebounds, grabbing nine of his boards off of the offensive glass. He also dished out a pair of assists and made two 3-pointers after having missed all of his attempted triples in his first two Americup outings.
Through three tournament games, Branch is averaging 9.7 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists on 50% shooting.
The five-star prospect has increased his scoring and rebounding totals in each new Americup game — Branch had seven points and six rebounds Monday against Argentina, 10 points and 11 rebounds Wednesday against Mexico, and now his 12-point, 14-rebound effort Thursday against Brazil.
Branch’s play has been crucial to Team USA’s three victories in group play, now advancing to the Americup semifinal Saturday against the winner of Friday’s showdown between the Dominican Republic and Brazil.
Team USA has won gold in seven consecutive U18 Americups, with Branch and company now looking to make it eight with two more wins.
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