Heel Tough Blog: Drake Powell Gets Drafted 22nd Overall

Last night, Drake Powell had his NBA dreams come true after being drafted by the Atlanta Hawks and being traded to the Brooklyn Nets, becoming the first-round draft selection for Hubert Davis and the first UNC player to be drafted in the first round since Day’Ron Sharpe back in 2021. Powell became the 55th Tar Heel to be drafted in the first round, the eighth freshman to be selected in the first round, and the 120th player overall to be drafted into the NBA. 

Hubert Davis had this to say about Drake Powell’s NBA Draft selection, “The Carolina Basketball family is so happy and thrilled for Drake and his family. Drake was a dream to coach, and this is just the start of a long and successful NBA career. The Brooklyn Nets are getting an elite player who makes winning plays consistently on both ends of the floor, in addition to being a wonderful young man."

Powell was Carolina’s sixth leading scorer last season, averaging 7.4 points per game, with only nearly 50% shooting, despite not finding a consistent role, until the final 10 games of the season, where he shot over 56% from the floor. With his ability to be an elite perimeter defender, combined with a growing offensive game, he’s the perfect wing that the NBA covets in today’s game. 

The second round of the NBA Draft will begin tonight at 8 PM on ESPN. 

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