Sports
Branch, No. 2 hoops prospect, reclassifying to ’26
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Jeff Borzello
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Paul Biancardi
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Paul Biancardi
Basketball Recruiting
- National Recruiting Director for ESPN.com
- 18 years of coaching experience at Division I level
- Former Horizon League coach of the year at Wright State
Bruce Branch III, the No. 2-ranked prospect in the 2027 class, announced Saturday that he plans to reclassify into the 2026 class.
Branch will graduate from Prolific Prep (Florida) in the spring and be able to play college basketball next fall.
“I believe in my ability. I am confident that I can do this,” Branch told ESPN. “I have been playing up my whole life. I am not going to let anyone outwork me. I remember when I was in the first grade playing against third graders. I got pushed down, and I got back up.”
He hasn’t taken any official visits and has yet to truly dive into his recruitment, but the likes of Kentucky, Kansas, Louisville, USC, BYU, Arizona, Houston and Miami are all in pursuit. A springtime decision is the expectation.
“I want to take things one step at a time,” Branch said. “I want to focus on our season and my team. I want to win it all at Chipotle [Nationals].”
Branch turned 17 last month, meaning he will be eligible for the 2027 NBA draft following his reclassification. In a draft class that isn’t nearly as deep or talented as the 2026 group, Branch is immediately in contention to be the No. 1 pick.
Similarly, he has a case to be the No. 1 prospect in the SC Next 100, a spot in the 2026 class that has been held for most of the past couple of years by Tyran Stokes.
“I want to expand my opportunities,” Branch said. “I know there are challenges with this decision. The mental side is as hard as the physical side.”
Branch averaged 15.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per game on the Adidas 3SSB circuit this past spring and summer for the Compton Magic program, shooting 39% from 3-point range, according to Synergy.
Standing 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, Branch has NBA-level athleticism with his speed and explosiveness. He is one of the best 3-point shooters in the class, particularly on the move, while his midrange shot has a high release point and his length allows him to shoot over the top of defenders. Overall, his outside shooting shows a smooth, repetitive motion with terrific shot mechanics and preparation.
“His work ethic will prepare him for this reclassification,” Prolific Prep coach Ryan Bernardi said. “He is emotionally stable. He does not get too high or too low.”
The Commanders return from their bye week searching for their first victory since Oct. 5. It won’t be easy against the Broncos, who have won eight straight.
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Ruben Amorim has said that Manchester United are “stealing” set-piece routines from other clubs after goals from two free-kicks helped earn a valuable 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.
United came from behind at Selhurst Park thanks to second-half goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount, both of which came from Bruno Fernandes set plays.
Amorim’s team have now scored 10 Premier League goals from set-pieces this season — joint most with table-toppers Arsenal.
“We work a lot,” Amorim said when asked about United’s improvement at set-pieces.
“We have more time to work, we work a lot and we learn a lot in England.
“I think you are used to seeing that, but when you come for the Premier League you learn a lot with other teams how to do it and we are stealing a lot of things to score goals.”
United looked destined for another set-back following Monday’s defeat to 10-man Everton when Crystal Palace went in at half-time 1-0 up thanks to a retaken penalty from Jean-Philippe Mateta.
But there was marked improvement in their performance after the break as Amorim’s team recorded just their second league win away from home since March.
“I just said to the players we need to be more alive and you can feel that,” Amorim said.
– Mason Mount, Joshua Zirkzee inspire Man United comeback win at Crystal Palace
– Zirkzee leads Man United comeback in game of two halves vs. Palace
– Premier League table
“So if you are more alive, you are in more places, you are near the ball more often. I think everyone did that.
“But we also need to understand that the opponent was tired also in the second half.
“And when you increase the rhythm and the opponent gets tired a little bit, suffers right away a goal, you felt that we had the control of the game and that’s it.”
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The Carolina Panthers created havoc for the Los Angeles Rams and received a boost from the sloppy weather as they defeated the best team in the NFC, 31-28.
Carolina notched its seventh win of the year. It’s the first time they have won at least seven games since the 2022 season when Matt Rhule, and eventually Steve Wilks, were at the helm. The Panthers also snapped the Rams’ six-game winning streak.
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Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young runs against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina (Rusty Jones/AP Photo)
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford entered the game as the NFL MVP favorite. It seemed like he was going to have a big game as he led the team down for a touchdown on the opening drive. At the time, it was his 28th touchdown pass without an interception, which broke an NFL record.
The good vibes didn’t last long as Stafford threw an interception on his next drive and later had a pick six to Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson. The Panthers’ defense then forced Stafford to fumble the ball on the Rams’ final drive, which sunk any hopes of them coming back to force overtime or win the game.
Panthers quarterback Bryce Young was 15-of-20 with 206 passing yards and three touchdown passes. He found rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan for a 43-yard go-ahead touchdown with 6:34 left in the game. It was McMillan’s only catch of the game.
Carolina Panthers safety Nick Scott celebrates after intercepting a pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jacob Kupferman/AP Photo)
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Carolina’s Jalen Coker had four catches for 74 yards and a touchdown. Running back Chuba Hubbard had two catches for 41 yards and a touchdown. He also added 83 yards on the ground on 17 carries.
Stafford finished 18-of-28 with 243 passing yards and two touchdown passes. Both touchdowns were to Davante Adams, who finished with four catches for 58 yards.
The Panthers’ (7-6) win kept them in contention for the NFC South lead. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a higher winning percentage after their win over the Arizona Cardinals, moving to 7-5.
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The Rams’ grip on the conference was loosened. The loss meant the Chicago Bears have the best record in the NFC. Chicago defeated the Philadelphia Eagles on Black Friday.
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