Branch is an intriguing name who has emerged over the past year and continued to build momentum Saturday. The rangy 6-foot-5 sophomore shot 5-for-8 from beyond the arc across his two games while also contributing defensively and on the glass. Branch still needs to get stronger and tighten his handle, but his combination of size, shooting and two-way potential makes him a player worth monitoring.

Branch is a 2029 prospect I’ve been high on since watching him dominate the JV level last season. His frame, the fluidity in which he moves and the pretty mechanics on his jumper all just a few of the reasons why. What he showed on Saturday was the upside and improvements with his timing on defense since June. He’s up to 6-foot-5 and looks like he still has room to grow before he finishes his high school career, but compared to six months ago, he looks much more comfortable with his movement and coordination. While he is still working on his lateral quickness, Branch had a handful of blocks in the two games recovering as guards or wings got by him on the perimeter and made up for it with his second effort. When he got his chances to score, Branch knocked down smooth pull ups from the mid range, converted 63 percent of 3PA’s and had a few second chance buckets that he got thanks to his hustle on the offensive boards. Branch is a prospect I could see turn the corner and emerge as a huge piece for the Gaels this winter.

Previous Rank: 31

-Although I would call him more of a wing than a forward prospect, Branch impressed our scouts this offseason with standout 2-way play for Team Thrill. Thrill has a way of squeezing every last ounce of potential out of their players at the defensive end of the floor and those instincts as an off-ball disruptor translated well back to MSJ for the scholastic live periods. Branch’s ability to shoot the ball and do it with great positional size makes him a key component as a wing that can guard multiple positions for his team.

12p 7r 1b (4/9 FG) vs Riverdale

-The long term vision is slowly but surely coming together for Branch as a young wing prospect that flashes a ton of perimeter skill in his minutes for a young MSJ group. Branch knocked down a pair of 3s to space the floor for the Gaels, moved his feet well laterally to guard several different positions, and closed out defensive possessions by chipping down on the block or chasing down long rebounds. Love that he doesn’t over-dribble and gets right into his move to either pass, drive, or shoot right away on his catches away from the basket. If he can add in some weight to his frame and more downhill slashing ability/vertical pop– he projects well as a 3+D wing prospect.

-The last but not least of standout Thrill performers in a win over Team Spartans, Branch continues to prove capable of filling a role as a pick n pop wing prospect that also has the skill to put the ball on the floor when needed. Branch hit a baseline jumper off the catch, knocked down a contested short jumper after he snagged the offensive rebound in the pain, splashed an open 3 from the top of the key in the secondary break, and had a well-timed cut from the corner to the rim that led to an and1 finish at the rim. You can tell that he’s still getting his legs under him as a prospect that continues to grow, but the flashes really stand out as a wing that has a chance to make a name for himself at the national level.

Branch is someone who thrived at the junior varsity level to a point where on multiple occasions, forced us to arrive a few hours before the varsity tip-off and track his development. He poses good size for a wing along with a fluidity as a scorer that very pleasing to watch. He gets to spot in minimal bounces, covers ground on his rips and can rise over his defender in the mid-range while converting at an efficient clip. The plus length, understanding in how to score from different levels and the defensive upside all went into his 8-spot rise into the top-35. He’ll be one to monitor this spring/summer with Team Thrill 15s.

-Yet another high upside frontcourt prospect at MSJ, I expect Branch to carve out a role at the varsity level if he turns in a productive spring and summer of development on the circuit with Thrill. Branch possesses a ton of long term upside as a great mover at his size that can put the ball on the floor or knock down pick n pop jumpers. Defensively he can play 3-5 at the 15u level and will give Thrill some lineup versatility as a player that can man the paint or guard on the wings.

Branch is one of the JV standouts in the Baltimore area who cannot be overlooked. The size, shooting and frame are all foundational pillars that you see in players who eventually blossom valuable rotational guys on the varsity level. He’s been dominant in spurts on both ends not only scoring, but also protecting the rim a high rate for a guard/wing. It’s shown not only the competitive motor that he brings, but the instincts and timing as a weakside defender who can see his man and ball at all times. It’s always good to see players take advantage of the confidence and development at the JV level before diving into the deep end that the varsity level in the BCL offers. I’d bet on Branch being one that benefits off this path pretty significantly when all is said and done.