BYU’s pipeline to the NBA already has a shiny new name on it, and it’s barely even started.
After Egor Demin and AJ Dybantsa both turned into lottery picks under Kevin Young, and Richie Saunders went in the second round last week, the buzz around the Cougars has already shifted to another freshman. Bruce Branch III, an incoming wing from Arizona, is showing up in early 2027 mock drafts as a potential first-rounder - and in plenty of them, he’s projected near the very top.
That’s notable this early, even with the 2026 draft just in the books. The consensus around Branch is pretty clear: the talent is real, the frame is built for the league, and the next step is proving he can consistently put it all together at BYU.
ESPN has Branch going No. 4, pointing to a 7-foot-1 wingspan, a strong frame with room to add muscle and a shot that already stretches out to range. The outlet also noted that he’s still growing as an all-around scorer, but when he’s locked in defensively, his size, length and lateral agility make life miserable for opposing scorers. ESPN also said scouts want to see him assert himself more, since he can sometimes drift through games, though the outlet added that if Kevin Young gets the most out of him, Branch could push for a top-five spot.
CBS Sports also has him at No. 4, highlighting his high school 3-point shooting and suggesting he should find plenty of clean looks in BYU’s system this season.
NBA Draft Room slots him at No. 4 as well, describing him as “A big-time talent who can score from inside and out. Has a silky-smooth jumper and a great release. The sky is the limit.”
Bleacher Report is a little lower at No. 6, but the praise is still strong. The site wrote that Branch “will step into AJ Dybantsa’s large shoes at BYU,” and said he “always pops quickly with a frame of an NBA wing,” while also crediting his ability to attack, finish and create separation for jumpers.
At the same time, it noted that the execution is not always there yet. Bleacher Report’s view was simple: the tools are there for a first-round future, and his rise will depend on how fast he builds confidence and consistency.
The Athletic placed him at No. 16, offering a different angle on his fit. It described Branch as a “stylistically similar big guard who can dribble, pass and shoot at 6 feet 7,” while adding that he may be more polished as a shooter than Dybantsa was.
The Athletic also said he needs to add strength over the summer so he can better handle contact on drives, and pointed out that he can get loose with the ball. Still, the outlet liked his midrange game and passing touch, and noted that Branch won’t turn 18 until right before his first game with the Cougars.
Its bottom line: one year at BYU could be enough, but a two-year stay is also on the table.
Other draft outlets are just as intrigued, even when they don’t offer a detailed explanation. No Ceilings has Branch at No. 5, while NBA Draft.net and Tankathon also have him in the first round.
For BYU, the pattern is obvious. Young said when he arrived in 2024 that he wanted the program to become a place where players could prepare for the NBA. With the draft results already piling up, Branch looks like the next player in line to make that vision look very real.