Heel Tough Blog: Drake Powell Declares for the 2025 NBA Draft

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After much thought and consideration, Drake Powell has officially declared for the 2025 NBA Draft, after just one season at Chapel Hill. Powell appeared in all 37 games for Carolina, averaging over 7 points per game, over 3 rebounds per game, and over one assist, impressing at the Maui Invitational, while helping the team’s late-season turnaround to make the NCAA Tournament.

Powell announced the decision via Instagram, with a statement attached that follows as such: "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 an unmatched feeling, 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."

This decision doesn’t come as a surprise, given his stock rising during the season, while his former teammate, Ian Jackson’s stock fell, forcing him to transfer to St. John’s to repair his NBA chances. As for Powell, virtually every mock draft has him as a late first-round pick or an early second-round selection. Even in a day and time where schools can meet the financial terms of what a player would make on a rookie contract, Powell is moving on from college. 

Powell becomes the fifth Tar Heel to officially exit the program this offseason, but the first to do so in a non-transfer situation. Earlier this week, Ven-Allen Lubin entered the transfer portal, but is expected to be back with the program for next season. Until Lubin entered the portal, it was believed that UNC was awaiting on a decision from Powell to further determine how they’ll go about finalizing the roster for 2025-26. It’s been reported that UNC has been in contact with California transfer Andrej Stojakovic, who was on a visit to Illinois just yesterday. UNC pursued Stojakovic last off-season, and with Powell not expected to withdraw from the NBA Draft (he has until June 15th to do so), Stojakovic becomes the biggest target currently in the portal, even with Lubin in the portal as well. 

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