LEON, Mexico – BYU’s Bruce Branch III and USA Basketball picked up a silver medal at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup after falling to Canada 67-65 in the championship game on Sunday evening at Dome de la Feria in Leon, Mexico.
Branch III averaged 8.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 blocks per game en route to helping the Americans advance to the final for a 10th straight AmeriCup. They also punched their ticket to next summer’s U19 World Cup in Czech Republic courtesy of finishing in the top four of the bi-annual tournament.
Bruce Branch III an early standout for USA at U18s. Textbook wing tools, promising stroke, good off-ball activity and athleticism for play-finishing. https://t.co/pbQjoLgutz pic.twitter.com/8qnmMBFPih
— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) June 5, 2026
After opening the tournament with seven points and six rebounds in a 30-point victory over Argentina, Branch III recorded back-to-back doubles in wins over Mexico and Brazilians helping USA Basketball secure the top spot in Group A and punch its ticket to the semifinals.
In a 107-50 victory over the hosts, he finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds going 3-of-5 from the field and 4-of-4 from the free three throw line. Nine of his 14 rebounds in the win over the Brazilians in the group stage finale came on the offensive glass to go along with 12 points.
Branch III had eight points, eight rebounds and two blocks in the semifinal over Brazil. He followed that up with six points, four rebounds, two steals and a pair of blocks in 23 minutes of action in the final against the Canadians.