By Jalon DixonShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberGilbert, Arizona, native and Prolific Prep star Bruce Branch III is speeding up the clock.
The five-star small forward, previously the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2027 class, has officially reclassified to 2026. The move places Branch at No. 8 nationally in the new cycle and instantly makes him one of the most coveted players in high school basketball.
Ranked atop the 2027 class for months, Branch had long been viewed as a strong reclassification candidate. Rivals and 247Sports analysts expected the shift since the summer, citing his age, physical maturity, and rapid developmental trajectory.
The 6-foot-7, 185-pound wing transferred from Perry High School to Prolific Prep (now in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and will enter his final year of high school basketball with a full national spotlight.
Branch Says 'Leveling Up' Was Natural Next Step
...Branch told 247Sports that his decision came easily.
“The decision to reclassify was as easy a one for me,” he said. “I've thrived my entire life putting myself in environments that push me to be better, and that's exactly what I look to do in taking this next step… I look forward to the challenges and growth that comes with leveling up.”
His skill set already mirrors that of a future NBA lottery selection. Branch carries a reported 7-foot-1 wingspan, fluid shot creation ability, and a growing playmaking package that allows him to initiate offense or finish as a high-level scorer from all three levels. Evaluators at Rivals called his rise to No. 1 in the 2027 class a “discussion-free” decision in their most recent update.
Born on Oct. 24, 2008, Branch becomes NBA draft eligible in 2027. Early projections already slot him as a top-ten pick with the potential to challenge fellow phenom Tyran Stokes for the No. 1 spot.MORE: Texas Lands Two Top-10 Recruits to Secure No. 1 Class in 2026
A Growing Trend in the NIL Era
...Branch joins an expanding list of elite prospects who have accelerated their timelines since the arrival of NIL in 2021. Recent reclassifiers include Cooper Flagg, AJ Dybantsa, Kylan Boswell, GG Jackson, Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, and many others who chose to move up a class to begin college or NBA pathways sooner.
Earlier this week, Baba Oladotun (formerly 2027) jumped to 2026 as well, committing to Maryland. Branch’s move marks the second time this year the No. 1 player in 2027 has reclassified.MORE: Mark Pope, Kentucky Face Identity Crisis After Early Struggles
Recruiting Picture Remains Wide Open
...Branch’s offer list is as deep as expected for a player of his caliber. Arizona and Arizona State offered early, followed by Texas, Virginia, USC, Tennessee, Kansas, Louisville, Houston, Indiana, UCLA, BYU and more. While most top 2026 prospects signed during the early period, Branch entered the cycle with no visits scheduled and no clear favorite.
Schools expected to remain heavily involved include Arizona, USC, Kansas, Duke, Kentucky, BYU and Louisville.
Branch now becomes one of the headline names of the 2026 class and one of the biggest recruiting plot lines to monitor heading into spring.
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