One official visit was enough drake powell.
The 6-foot-6 wing from Northwood, Pittsboro, North Carolina, announced his commitment to North Carolina on Thursday night. In a column published in Inside CarolinaPowell is UNC’s first pledge in the Junior (2024) class.
Ranked 58th overall by 247Sports Composite, Powell chose Tar Heel over offers from Cincinnati, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Miami, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M, VCU and Wake Forest.
“He plays really hard and can play multiple positions,” said a source close to the UNC program. Inside Carolina“A great defender and a playmaker who wants to win. (He’s) their type of kid.”
UNC assistant Jeff Lebo first got a glimpse of Powell as a high school coach. Lebo was an assistant at West Carteret High School when they faced Northwood in the 2021 NCHSAA State Playoffs.
Powell’s performance stayed with Lebo and was the impetus for him to reach out and join Northwood practice a few months after being hired by Hubert Davis. Powell made a number of unofficial visits to Chapel Hill last season, and Levo reached out to him the first day (June 15) when the juniors could get a call directly from the coach.
“He’s a lot stronger[than last year],” said Northwoods head coach Matt Brown. Inside Carolina. “He works really hard in the weight room. He is the vocal leader on and off the floor. (Powell) worked very hard on his jumper (over the summer) and now a more consistent he’s three point his shooter. As such, he can now score at all three of his levels. “
Carolina staff continued to monitor him throughout the summer, dedicating valuable evaluation time to him. Team CP3 16U saw SC Powell show off his improved all-around game, averaging nearly 10 points and scoring 4.3 at his EYBL events in Kansas City and North Augusta. rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.
“Like everyone else, the first thing that comes to mind about Drake Powell is his athleticism,” said Eric Bossi, recruiting director at 247Sports. “He has made an explosive first step and is a Gazelle in transition, able to catch and finish Rob’s opportunity with best-in-class wings for 2024. The most important thing for him is that he As he ages, he uses his athleticism to complement the game rather than rely on it.”
Powell named Milwaukee Bucks guard Drew Holliday as the pro he emulates.
“We’ve seen signs of improvement in his ball-handling this summer,” Bossi said. “As ball-handling and shooting combine with what he does in terms of playing more controlled, he’s become more efficient and reliable on the half court compared to the most dangerous transition players of the past. I can see all of him, a gift that allows him to grow into a first-class defender.”
Brown added: “He really set the tone by being the best defender in the state. His length, strength, athleticism and sheer will make him the team’s best defender.” Causes player problems.In every match this summer he has defended his opponent’s best player.I’m proud of it and I want it.In my opinion, he is one of the best two-way players in the country.
In his first two seasons, Powell led Northwood to the state’s 3A championship game and the fourth round of the high school playoffs. Last season he averaged 16 points (45 FG%, 72 FT%), 6.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 3 steals.
“He’s been more aggressive offensively,” Brown said. “He can (now) dominate the game and dominate opponents when he needs to. Please help me win.”
Powell is Hubert Davis’ first commitment from North Carolina and the first in-state pledge to UNC since the 2021 class (D’Marco Dunn and Dontrez Styles). Powell is the first scholarship player from Chatham County to pick his UNC since Terrence Newby signed with the Tar Heels in 1996.
