Bruce Branch III knew that BYU basketball would be home within the first hour of his official visit earlier this year. The location stunned him, and the warm welcome he received made him feel as though he were already home, under the smiling embrace of family.
Finding the right home for his lone season of college basketball was about much more than basketball for Branch, and in a recent interview during training with Team USA Basketball's U18 National Team, he shared what was at the core of his decision to sign with Kevin Young's program out in Provo.
"I would say, on my visit, the first thing I really noticed -- well, I will say the mountains, it's beautiful out there -- just the people out there. So respectful, so kind, so caring of one another. You know, I love it out there."
"With my choice in going to BYU, one of it was just the people, you know. The environment. It's going to make me a better person."
"The basketball is going to be there, but for me, from what my mom taught me when i was younger, be the best person you can be ... that's what I'm most excited about."
Five-Star @BYUMBB signee Bruce Branch III (@bkbranch3) is out in Colorado Springs training with the USA Basketball U18 national team.
— Travis Green (@ItsTravisGreen) May 28, 2026
He says "With my choice and going to BYU.. One of it was just the people and the environment. It's gonna make me a better person." pic.twitter.com/zXtBOhE0Eh
BYU basketball is displaying a pattern of personnel additions in recent years.
In line with the university's mission and Branch's personal priorities, Kevin Young's influx of high-rated prospects matches the influx of high-character additions. Egor Demin and AJ Dybantsa, the previous 5-star freshmen to play a season at BYU, have been unabashed in their praise of the program and institution. They displayed excellent leadership on and off the floor, and move forward to be the type of individuals BYU fans are proud to call a member of the Cougar family.
Demin and Dybantsa are far from the only members of the team to display these qualities. But as an LDS university now sees a higher number of non-member athletes than ever before, it's admirable to find individuals who exemplify the savior while wearing BYU threads.
Branch's comments align effortlessly with this pattern. He chose BYU not because of basketball reasons -- though there were certainly enough of those to draw him in in the first place -- but because he hopes to develop into a better person during his freshman year in Provo.
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