For the first time since 2008, Team USA did not capture the FIBA U18 Americup gold medal.
BYU freshman Bruce Branch III and his USA teammates dropped a heartbreaker to Canada in Sunday’s tournament final, missing out on the gold to receive a silver medal.
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Branch scored six points in 22 minutes of play, shooting 3 of 5 from the field with four rebounds, two blocks and two steals.
Overall sloppiness plagued Team USA in the final, shooting just 38% from the floor and committing 21 turnovers against Canada.
Branch enjoyed a solid showing in the Americup, averaging 8.6 points and 8.6 rebounds across five tournament games. He ranked as the No. 4 rebounder in the event and logged double-doubles in group play against Mexico and Brazil.
If there’s one area Branch can improve on at BYU from his Americup performance, it’s shooting. While he did make 47% of his total field goals, Branch shot 31% from 3-point range and made just 53% of his free-throw attempts.
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A five-star forward from Gilbert, Arizona, Branch is rated as the No. 5 prospect from the class of 2026 and could be BYU’s third-consecutive first-round NBA draft selection next June.
