Five-Star Arizona Small Forward Target Reclassifies to 2026 Class

A five-star small forward and the former No. 1 overall prospect in the 2027 class that Arizona has been targeting, reclassified to the 2026 class.

Nov 11, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Koa Peat (10) scores a three pointer during the first half of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at McKale Memorial Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images | Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Arizona and head coach Tommy Lloyd have experienced an up-and-down 2026 recruiting cycle. The Wildcats initially started strong by securing a commitment from four-star small forward Cameron Holmes. However, they then missed out on their top target in the class when five-star power forward Cameron Williams committed to Duke.

Although it hasn't been a perfect cycle for the Wildcats, a new opportunity to add a five-star recruit to their 2026 class has emerged, as the former No. 1 overall prospect in the 2027 class, whom Arizona has been targeting, recently reclassified as a 2026 recruit.

Arizona Five-Star Small Forward Target Reclassifies as 2026 Recruit

On Nov 22, 247Sports' Travis Branham reported on X that Bruce Branch III, a five-star small forward who plays at Prolific Prep High School in Florida and is from Gilbert, Arizona, would reclassify from a 2027 recruit to a 2026 recruit.

NEWS: Bruce Branch III, the No. 1 player in the class of 2027, has reclassified to the Class of 2026, he tells @247Sports.

Story: https://t.co/MRN1W5TRRE pic.twitter.com/ShhxvKpuZh

— Travis Branham (@TravisBranham_) November 22, 2025

Branch was previously rated as the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2027 class, and now that he's part of the 2026 class, he still ranks among the top players in the country. Rivals' industry rankings list him as the No. 5 overall recruit in the nation and the No. 2 small forward prospect.

Arizona had been pursuing Branch throughout his recruitment, initially offering him in June. However, now that he has reclassified to 2026, Rivals' Joe Tipton indicated there might be a hurdle for the Wildcats in securing him.

Apr 2, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; A general view of the Arizona Wildcats and Connecticut logos at the Alamodome prior to the national semifinals of the women's Final Four of the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Tipton believes that with Arizona already landing Holmes and being strong contenders for five-star shooting guard Caleb Holt, the Wildcats might have interest in too many wing players for Branch's preference, which could lead him to look elsewhere. 

• "Arizona is the hometown school, though the fit is a bit complicated," Tipton wrote. "The Wildcats already have four-star small forward Cameron Holmes committed, are pushing for five-star shooting guard Caleb Holt and could return two more young wings. Unless something changes, it’s hard to see Arizona leading here."

Nov 7, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd watches the game from the sidelines during the first half of the game against the Utah Tech Trailblazers at McKale Memorial Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images | Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Despite Tipton's doubts, there's no guarantee that the Wildcats will bring in Holt, and even if they do, Lloyd and his staff could still easily find a spot for a player of Brach's caliber.

If the Wildcats want to land Branch, they will need to compete with several of the nation's top programs, such as BYU, Duke, Kansas, USC, Louisville, and Kentucky.

While this presents a challenge, the 6'7" small forward has already expressed interest in Arizona, and his reclassification creates an opportunity for Lloyd and company to add another top-tier player to their 2026 class. 

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