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Drake Powell has yet to prove he is an NBA keeper.
Like some Carolina players who have tinkered with the NBA Draft in recent years, Powell is far from a sure thing as a pro. Does he have the size, athletic ability and potential? Sure.
He also has the potential to be another Harrison Ingram, who entered the draft, stayed in and was picked in the second round. He spent most of his rookie season in the G League and only got big minutes in the NBA after his team – San Antonio – missed the playoffs and then promoted him.
Powell, at this point, is no better an NBA prospect than Ingram, who played two seasons at Stanford before entering the portal and signing with UNC. For the first half of the season, he was a smallish power forward who blossomed late to lead the ACC in rebounding against a weak conference.
In retrospect, Ingram would have been better off pulling out of the NBA Draft as he now appears to be a journeyman pro. Powell’s deadline to do so is May 24.
Powell is no bigger than Ingram and, while he may be a better athlete, is not nearly as strong or savvied around the basket. And he’s from Pittsboro and is passing up another year to play in front of family and friends for his favorite school to take the NBA gamble.
Does he have an upside? Undoubtedly as shown by his own improvement after Hubert Davis moved him back to his natural position at small forward, where he wound up starting 24 games, third behind R.J. Davis and Elliott Cadeau, and taking the fourth most 3-point shots, making 38 percent while benefiting from defenses focusing on Davis.
He appeared to be penned in as a starter next season while being evaluated by agents who, we must remember, make commissions from any contracts kids sign with an NBA teams. So you can call their loyalty divided.
This puts pressure on Hubert, who now must go with West Virginia transfer and namesake Jonathan Powell or take the money he was offering Drake next season and go get another wing player from the portal.
So if Drake gets a so-so report card at the combines, like Ingram did, he may find his old spot with the Tar Heels long gone. Frankly, that is one of the many things that suck about the rules and where they leave players and coaches.
Are all great high school stars blinded by their dreams to play in the NBA? Yes, but here was a kid who grew up dreaming of playing for the Tar Heels. Maybe he didn’t like being used at power forward before the coaches made the lineup switch, but with six teammates transferring or graduating, Powell had a chance to become a true hometown hero by staying for another season and raising his draft prospects.
Now, he is rolling the dice.
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Featured image via Todd Melet
Art Chansky is a veteran journalist who has written ten books, including best-sellers “Game Changers,” “Blue Bloods,” and “The Dean’s List.” He has contributed to WCHL for decades, having made his first appearance as a student in 1971. His “Sports Notebook” commentary airs daily on the 97.9 The Hill WCHL and his “Art’s Angle” opinion column runs weekly on Chapelboro.Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
Chansky’s Notebook: Rolling the Dice Chapelboro.com.
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