SNAPSHOT

A do-it-all defender who can guard multiple position and makes life extremely difficult for the opposition, Drake Powell is a versatile draft prospect who could be in first round calculations at the 2025 NBA Draft in Chicago in June.

While his numbers may not jump off the page, Powell's impact comes largely in his defensive work, while his jumpshot is progressing well enough to suggest he could be a viable 3-and-D option in the coming years at the top level.

DRAFT PROFILE

Powell was born and raised in North Carolina, attending Northwood High School, where he forged out a strong junior career that caught the eye of national recruiters. Averaging 18.2 points across his final two seasons with the team, the wing was put on the radar of several collegiate programs and looked like a seriously impressive prospect for the future.

Rated as a five-star recruit heading into his Freshman campaign in the NCAA system, Powell received offers from plenty of schools, including Florida State, N.C. State, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Wake Forest, Miami, and Georgia. However, he opted to stay in his home stay and join the Tar Heels.

The draft prospect became an integral part of North Carolina's team throughout his sole season in the system, playing all 37 games for the Tar Heels and working his way into the starting lineup as the fixture rolled on. Although the team's defence struggled throughout the season, Powell was steadfast and a consistent performer on this side of the ball.

Throughout the 2024/25 season, Powell averaged 7.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.7 blocks per game, while shooting 48.3 per cent from the field, 37.9 per cent from three-point land and 64.8 per cent from the charity stripe.

STRENGTHS

+ Defence
+ Inside scoring
+ Shooting off the catch
+ Playmaking

IMPROVEMENTS

- Scoring off the dribble
- Defensive production

The biggest strength in Powell's game is far and away his defence, using his impressive athleticism to pressure and harass the opposition into either a turnover or a poor shot. He can consistently stay in front of his opponent, and has the strength and speed to guard all five positions.

Offensively, the wing likes to get to the cup and finish at the basket, once again using his strong physical traits to get to the hoop with ease. When he is given time and space, he is capable of throwing down some emphatic slams, while he also has the strength and composure to finish through contact.

He has been a solid catch-and-shoot player throughout his high school and collegiate career, proving damaging if given space out on the perimeter. A point guard who can find him out of a bail out pass will truly unlock his offensive impact.

Although an impressive shooter off the catch, Powell does struggle with shot creation, unable to consistently produce pull-up scores. If he can develop his offensive arsenal over the coming years, it will make him a better two-way player.

DRAFT PROJECTION: Early second round

Powell is looming as a solid 3-and-D player at the very least, showing tremendous defensive traits throughout his time with the Tar Heels, and if he can develop his offensive game to become more dynamic, he could be a steal in the second round.