BYU basketball has a great one in incoming freshman Bruce Branch III. A player with the wingspan of a hawk, the defensive tenacity of a huntsman spider, and the drive to push BYU basketball forward from the disappointing season they just endured, it's no surprise to see the Cougars' McDonald's All-American named to the Team USA U18 national team roster for this summer's Americup.
@bkbranch3 is on the roster 👏 pic.twitter.com/bSa7FYTMgj
— BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) May 27, 2026
Bruce was a 5-star recruit in the class of 2026, despite reclassifying up a grade level. Much like Dybantsa before him, Branch promises to push BYU basketball forward in its mission of becoming the premier destination for elite talent to prepare for a career in the NBA. Under head coach Kevin Young, formerly the highest-paid assistant coach in the NBA with Phoenix, the Cougars have produced two lottery picks in consecutive seasons with Egor Demin and AJ Dybantsa.
Bruce Branch III is next in line.
He'll team up with other stars entering the college ranks.
USA U18 National Team Roster, and their colleges
Bruce Branch III (BYU)
Quentin Coleman (Illinois
Adan Diggs (Undeclared)
Caleb Gaskins (Miami)
DeMarcus Henry (Undeclared)
Malachi Jordan (Undeclared)
Taylen Kinney (Kansas)
Jasiah Jervis (Michigan State)
Colben Landrew (UConn)
Ethan Taylor (Michigan State)
Davion Thompson (Undeclared)
Darius Wabbington (Undeclared)
Introducing the 2026 USA Basketball Men's U18 National Team 🤩
— USABJNT (@usabjnt) May 27, 2026
🇺🇸 #USABMU18 pic.twitter.com/yUUus6Tx5F
Notably on this list is Adan Diggs, a player who just reclassified to the class of 2027 and is being heavily recruited by BYU basketball. Should he join the Cougars -- and this is a big if, but follow me here -- he'd be the third 5-star prospect in three years to both reclassify up a grade level and sign with BYU. That's a spooky pattern.
Demarcus Henry has also been on the Cougars' list, as the team sent out an offer and has already hosted him on an official visit back in November. The best LDS player in the entire class of 2027, BYU wants him very badly, and will send out all the stops in hopes of securing yet another member of this exceptional Team USA roster.
BYU has also offered Malachi Jordan, a smooth shooting guard with many, many high-level offers.
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