Drake Powell
_27_(Powell).jpg?lang=en) Powell with North Carolina in 2025 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 8, 2005 Durham, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Listed weight | 195 lb (88 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Northwood (Pittsboro, North Carolina) |
| College | North Carolina (2024–2025) |
| Position | Shooting guard / small forward |
| Number | 9 |
| Career highlights | |
Drake Edward Powell (born September 8, 2005) is an American college basketball player for the North Carolina Tar Heels of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Early life and high school
[edit]Powell grew up in Pittsboro, North Carolina and attended Northwood High School.[1] He averaged 18.6 points, seven rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game as a junior. [2] He put up averages of 17.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game along with 2.2 steals and 1.2 blocks during his senior year. Powell was selected to play in the 2024 McDonald's All-American Boys Game during his senior year.[3]
Recruiting
[edit]Powell was considered a five-star recruit by most major recruiting services and was one of the top players in the 2024 class.[4][5] He committed to play college basketball at North Carolina over offers from Florida State, N.C. State, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Wake Forest, Miami, and Georgia.[6][7] Powell signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Tar Heels on November 16, 2023, during the early signing period.[8]
College career
[edit]In his freshman season, Powell played in all 37 of the Tar Heels' games, starting 24, becoming a main piece in the rotation down the stretch of the season. Noted for his defensive versatility and ability, Powell anchored a Tar Heel defense that struggled at times during the 2024-25 campaign. Offensively, he averaged 7.4 points per game, shooting 48% from the field and 38% from three point range.[9] Following the season, he declared for the 2025 NBA draft.[10]
Personal life
[edit]Powell is the son of Dedric and Cherice Powell. His father played baseball at UNC and mother was an all-state high school basketball player and also attended UNC. His sister, Cera played volleyball at Virginia Tech and UConn. His brother Deuce was a three-sport standout at Northwood, who played basketball at Louisburg College and also attended North Carolina A&T. [11]
Powell is cousins with UNC head coach Hubert Davis. His grandmother is Davis' aunt.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ Zembal, Jacey (November 29, 2021). "Sophomore Drake Powell is excited about NC State offer". Rivals.com. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
- ^ "Drake Powell rises in updated 2024 ESPN 100 rankings". The Chatham News. September 6, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ McMillan, Sherrell (January 23, 2024). "UNC Signees Ian Jackson, Drake Powell Named McDonald's All-Americans". 247Sports.com. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ "How UNC basketball recruit Drake Powell went from unknown to unleashed as an elite player". The Fayetteville Observer. November 20, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
- ^ "UNC Tar Heels basketball recruit Drake Powell analysis". The News & Observer. December 29, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ "Northwood junior boys basketball player Drake Powell commits to UNC". The Chatham News. September 14, 2022. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
- ^ McMillan, Sherrell (September 8, 2022). "Junior Wing Drake Powell Commits to UNC". 247Sports.com. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ "Drake Powell, Chatham County athletes sign to college programs". The Chatham News. November 16, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ "Drake Powell Career Stats - NCAAM - ESPN". espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
- ^ Borzello, Jeff (May 14, 2025). "Bryant, Sorber, Powell, Philon to remain in NBA draft". ESPN. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
- ^ "Drake Powell - Men's Basketball". University of North Carolina Athletics. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ Koh, Michael (9 September 2022). "Northwood High's Drake Powell Commits to UNC Basketball". Chapelboro.com. Retrieved 25 September 2024.