BYU hoops commit Bruce Branch III throws down wicked slam in Team USA debut

BYU basketball has managed to secure another elite talent in Kevin Young's third season as head coach. And assuming Young is here to stay (I wrote, breath held), Branch will be the third 5-star freshman to play in Provo since BYU's NBA-quality head coach took over the program three years ago. That's right, KY is batting 1.000.

But with the recent announcement that Bruce Branch would be representing the Team USA U18 National squad in the Americup, BYU fans are anxious to see their newest signee in action on the basketball court. In early returns, Branch has been excellent.

While leading big against Argentina, the BYU commit slipped past the perimeter defense -- the defender fell asleep the moment Branch dumped the ball to the high-post, and the wing knew it immediately -- and caught a perfectly placed pocket pass with a clear runway to the rim.

The Argentine defender helplessly leaping to defy Branch's flight was immediately erased at the rim, with Branch throwing down a viscious slam with both hands as his teammates erupted.

That's not the only exciting aspect of Branch's game put on display during the tournament, though. Not by a mile. On a similar look at the rim, Branch slipped backdoor and casually finished an and-one layup through three defenders.

His wingspan is ridiculous, and he uses his length and elasticity incredibly well at the rim, despite the waving hands of his opposers.

Worth noting, as long as we're analyzing here, is Branch's quick second bounce, as he lept up to follow his own shot with a quick vertical burst the moment his feet his the ground.

Branch hustles and is eager to get his teammates involved in the play. Gathering the rebound before pushing the pace and giving his teammate a great look (which was ultimately squandered).

Bruce Branch finished his opening appearance with Team USA with 7 points on 3-of-5 shooting (the team high was 12 points, as international stats are often deflated compared to NCAA and NBA numbers), 6 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 assist in 15 minutes of play.

He'll need to work a bit on his free throw efficiency, as he was clearly in his head at the line against Argentina, finishing 1-of-5 from the stripe.

Also notably, Branch received a technical foul after dropping the ball in his opponent's lap after the whistle. More funny than concerning.

Still, seeing a Cougar commit show up at the national stage like this should have BYU basketball fans incredibly optimistic about the season following AJ Dybantsa's campaign in Provo. Kevin Young plans for no Dybantsa-Saunders hangover, and Branch's selfless play and ability to influence every aspect of the game should deliver a more well-rounded version of the team than we saw a year ago.

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