CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Freshman wing Drake Powell announced on Wednesday that he is declaring for the NBA Draft.
“Tar Heel Nation, thank you for embracing and supporting me through the highs and lows of the past season,” Powell said in a statement. “I have learned so much both on and off the court. I was born and bred a Tar Heel, and to have the opportunity to put on that uniform, run through that tunnel, and compete for the University that I love is a feeling that is unmatched and I’ll never take that for granted.
“To my teammates and brothers, I just want to say thank you for all the amazing memories we’ve made together during our journey. I’ll hold onto these moments forever.
“However, competing at the highest level has always been the ultimate goal. This decision was nowhere near easy, but with the support and guidance of my family and coaches, I will be entering my name into the 2025 NBA Draft.”
Since Carolina’s season ended, Powell has been taking part in workouts through his agency, CAA Sports, sources confirmed. ESPN’s latest mock draft slots Powell as the first pick of the second round, at No. 31 overall. This Saturday, April 26, is the early entry deadline for the Draft. The NCAA’s early entry withdrawal deadline is May 28.
CBS Sports’ Kyle Boone describes Powell as a player with the right tools to be an effective defender in the NBA, and he also highlighted Powell’s ability to make open shots. Powell joined UNC from Pittsboro (N.C.) Northwood as a five-star recruit, ranking No. 11 in his class by 247Sports.
Powell averaged 7.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists as a freshman for North Carolina, making starts in 24 of his 37 appearances. He shot 48.3% from the field, 37.9% from three and 64.8% from the free throw line. He was third on the team in 3-point percentage this season.
Powell started in UNC’s final 11 games when Hubert Davis made the switch to play a bigger lineup. The change allowed Powell to play on the wing after being slotted earlier in the season as an undersized power forward due to his defensive versatility.
While he was efficient with his shot and a reliable outside shooter, Powell was not a big scorer his freshman year. He finished the year with 10 double-figure scoring games and he attempted seven or more shots in 11 of the team’s 37 games. He scored a career-high 18 points against Michigan State in Maui back in November, and his ACC-high was a 17-point effort against SMU.
One of Powell’s standout moments in ACC play was a defensive sequence he helped facilitate against Boston College in January. He was placed on the inbound passer four times in the final seconds of regulation with UNC down by two, and the team came away with two stops that led to forcing overtime. Powell’s length and quick twitch on those plays made it difficult for the Eagles to get the ball in.
“Drake is incredible,” Seth Trimble said after that game. “It is such a blessing to have a guy like Drake on your team, first of all, but especially in those moments. He’s just able to make reads and make plays and just be one of those aliens that you always see (and do things) that other people can’t do. There’s a reason why we had Drake on the ball. There’s a reason he was on the ball every single inbounds possession. So he’s special in those moments. And he’s a special player.”
In UNC’s last game of the season, Powell posted eight points, seven rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal.
North Carolina’s most recent draft choice was Harrison Ingram, who was selected 48th overall last year by the San Antonio Spurs. The last player to be taken in the first round was Day’Ron Sharpe in 2021, with the Phoenix Suns taking him at No. 29. Walker Kessler began his career with the Tar Heels, but transferred to Auburn before being selected 22nd overall in 2022.
North Carolina extended Hubert Davis with a five-year deal back in December, and it added Jim Tanner as the team’s general manager to help with roster management efforts. UNC finished the season with a 23-14 record. After sneaking into the NCAA Tournament and winning its First Four game against San Diego State, the team lost to Ole Miss 71-64 in the Round of 64.
The Tar Heels have seen Elliot Cadeau, Jalen Washington, Ian Jackson, Cade Tyson and Ven-Allen Lubin enter the transfer portal. But in return, the Tar Heels have added West Virginia wing Jonathan Powell, Arizona center Henri Veesaar, Colorado State guard Kyan Evans and Alabama forward Jarin Stevenson. RJ Davis, Jae’Lyn Withers and Ty Claude departed due to their expired eligibility, and the team is slated to bring in freshmen Caleb Wilson, Isaiah Denis and Derek Dixon.
