Bruce Branch III

2027 NBA Mock Draft v. 1.0 with @CBSSports Adam Finkelstein

Sam calls Branch a sure one-and-done: about 6'6 with a 7'1 wingspan (Adam confirms the number), a high-release shooter who relocates well, a smart cutter and passer with good defensive instincts. Sam caps the ceiling because he can't really dribble, isn't very explosive, can't collapse defenses and sometimes disappears. He sees a 3-and-D-plus starter rather than the star some project. Adam agrees he's no creator and lacks a first step, but expects BYU's spaced, ball-movement system to suit him and notes a good pull-up game. Adam sees him as a likely lottery pick but would take "the field" over Branch at No. 5, expecting someone to emerge.

3-and-D pluslong-armed shooterlimited handlereclassified

Way Too Early 2027 NBA Mock Draft

Frames Branch as a developmental pick: an impressive, explosive athlete with rare shotmaking for that athleticism, a great off-movement shooter who can also shoot off the bounce. Not much of a creator for others, but a 3-and-D-plus wing with defensive playmaking at the rim.

3-and-D plusshotmakingdevelopmental

Way Too Early 2027 NBA Mock Draft | The First Round

Says the board gets hard from here and picks Branch, a 6'7 shooting and shotmaking wing who can score at all three levels with some guard skills and defense. His stock hinges on on-ball work at BYU: limited to catch-and-shoot threes he's less enticing, but if he can handle, drive and playmake, teams will bite.

three-level scoreron-ball swing skillone-and-done

Way Too Early 2027 NBA Mock Draft

Calls Branch an absolute knockdown shooter and a good shot creator with great size and length who rebounds well; at 195 lbs he needs weight. Thinks BYU's pace-and-space, NBA-style system and a setup point guard in Rob Wright put him in a great spot to be a top pick.

knockdown shootershot creatorneeds weight

Way Too Early 2027 NBA Mock Draft

Frames Branch as a 6'7 wing whose passing and decision-making at his size stand out in a class full of pure athletes. He steps into the centerpiece role at BYU, where the movement-and-spacing offense should sharpen his reads off the ball and his ability to initiate from the elbow.

playmaking wingfeelBYU centerpiece

Way-Too-Early 2027 NBA Mock Draft | FULL First Round

Calls Branch one of the more interesting upside wings: about 6'7 with a 7'1 wingspan and an NBA wing's frame. He can shoot, attack closeouts, rise into mid-range jumpers and flash some passing, and with AJ Dybantsa gone, becoming a consistent two-way wing at BYU would justify a top-five pick.

upside winglengthshotmaking

Way Too Early 2027 NBA Mock Draft

Calls Branch a 6'7 wing with a 7'1 wingspan and the frame to become a great perimeter defender with added strength. Thinks his size and positional versatility may give him a better shot at No. 1 than Smith, since wings tend to go first, but wants him more aggressive and alpha-minded at BYU than he was in high school.

No. 1 contenderpositional versatilityneeds aggression

Way Too Early 2027 NBA Mock Draft (Full First Round)

Calls Branch one of the most fascinating prospects to watch develop, with his shot diet at BYU a big unknown. Says his length, broad shoulders and long frame will be paramount for his draft stock, along with his defensive compete, and how much BYU lets him handle the ball is the key question.

physical toolsdefensive competerole question