Latest news with #DrakePowell
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
UNC basketball star a late first-round in ESPN's latest NBA Mock Draft
Will Drake Powell carve himself out a successful NBA career? The NBA Draft takes center stage in the sports world on Wednesday, June 25 – and there's a strong likelihood a former UNC basketball star will hear his name called. The Tar Heel in question is Drake Powell, who grew up minutes from Chapel Hill – and watched his dream come true last year. Powell started his freshman campaign as one of North Carolina's top bench options, but after a few strong offensives performances and consistent lockdown defense, Powell became a mainstay in the starting lineup. Many wondered if Powell would withdraw soon after initially declaring for the NBA Draft, but Powell proved he was NBA-ready in just one year at UNC. In ESPN's latest NBA Mock Draft, Powell goes 28th overall – which is a late, first-round selection – to the Boston Celtics. Nothing says welcome to the pros like playing for arguably the NBA's most-storied franchise. Boston holds a league-leading 18 NBA titles, breaking a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2024 Finals. The Celtics are a deep team, with former Duke superstar Jayson Tatum and Cal-Berkeley star Jaylen Brown leading the charge. Boston starts former All-Stars Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Jrue Holiday, with Holiday taking Tatum's starting spot after the latter's season-ending achilles injury. Derrick White, one of the NBA's top undervalued guards, rounds out the starting lineup. The Celtics have all the offensive firepower an NBA team could imagine, but they're also a great defensive squad. Powell's defensive presence would only add to Boston's firepower, while Powell is also more than capable of dropping 10 points – on any given night. Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
CBS News
3 days ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Celtics Mock Draft Roundup with NBA Draft just one week away
What happened to the Celtics against the Knicks, and what's next this offseason? What happened to the Celtics against the Knicks, and what's next this offseason? What happened to the Celtics against the Knicks, and what's next this offseason? While the NBA Finals have yet to be decided, the 28 other teams are gearing up for next week's NBA Draft. That includes the Boston Celtics. While Boston is technically the reigning champs for at least one more day, the Celtics are bracing for an offseason that could include a handful of changes. With Jayson Tatum likely out for the entirety of next season after rupturing his Achilles in the East Semis, Brad Stevens and the front office may look to trim some payroll and get under the second apron this summer. That could mean veterans like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis are traded away, and the Celtics will have to rely on younger, cheaper talent in 2025-26. At least Stevens has a pair of intriguing draft picks that could yield some younger, cheaper talent next week. The Celtics are slated to pick 28th overall in the first round, and then make the second pick (32nd overall) in the second round on Thursday. Here's who the Mock Draft community believes the Celtics will take come next Wednesday. Jonathan Givony, ESPN: Drake Powell, SF, North Carolina Drake Powell of the North Carolina Tar Heels. Peyton Williams / Getty Images Finding a wing like Powell, who's capable of soaking up minutes, hopefully gaining some experience and perhaps emerging as capable of adding value in a year from now, would be a major win. NBA teams like Powell's feel for the game and long-term upside, especially his ability to guard everyone from point guards to power forwards while flying around to protect the rim, crash the glass and close out with purpose on the perimeter. He plays exceptionally hard, has tremendous mobility covering ground, rotating all over the floor -- with the question being whether he's an aggressive enough scorer or accurate enough shooter to hold his own on that end of the floor. Givony and Jeremy Woo mock Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner to the Celtics in the second round at 32nd overall. Rasheer Fleming of the Saint Joseph's Hawks blocks a shot by Dre Davis of the Seton Hall Pirates. Rich Schultz / Getty Images Fleming is a perfect role player for a Celtics team that will need a role player who can be on the court right away. We know Boston is going to cut costs this summer. Assuming his jump in 3-point shooting in his junior year is legitimate, Fleming will be exactly what the Celtics want. He has a 7-5 wingspan, so he's going to disrupt on defense. Boston having him on an end-of-the-first-round contract for the next four years would be huge for the bottom line. Kevin O'Connor, Yahoo Sports: Adou Thiero, F, Arkansas Adou Thiero of the Arkansas Razorbacks goes for a layup against the Auburn Tigers. Stew Milne / Getty Images Thiero is a slasher with a jacked frame and an explosive first step, but he has severe limitations on offense as a shooter. If he's able to figure out the shot, then his length and versatility would make him a classic 3-and-D role player. The Celtics have had good success at improving shooters, so he'd be a fair bet at this spot, considering his other strengths are tailor-made for their system. Kyle Boone, CBS Sports: Noah Penda, SF, France Noah Penda of Le Mans in action during the Betclic Elite French Championship against AS Monaco in Salle Gaston Medecin in Monaco. Laurent Coust/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images A French prospect putting together a strong season with Le Mans, Penda checks several boxes as a long forward who can score inside and out and match up well physically defending multiple positions. He could give Boston some long-term flexibility as it enters a potential transition year next season. Matt Norlander, CBS Sports: Drake Powell, SF, North Carolina I thought Powell could play himself into a top-20 pick a year from now if he returned to North Carolina, but the elite athlete opted to chase the NBA and is likely to be a first-round pick regardless. If he continues along his developmental path, Powell could grow into a top-15 defender in the NBA by the end of his first contract. A lot of work to do offensively. Good hoops IQ, willing to learn, important he lands with a team that can foster his development. Boston would be an ideal fit. The combine proved that Fleming is a little taller than 6-8 (barefoot) with a wingspan a little better than 7-5. Those measurements are great for somebody who also shot 39% from 3 on 4.5 attempts per game as a 20 year-old, and that's among the reasons Fleming should go in the lottery despite mostly operating off of the national radar in three seasons at Saint Joseph's. Collin Murray-Boyles, PF, South Carolina South Carolina Gamecocks forward Collin Murray-Boyles dunks against the LSU Tigers. John Korduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images A physically mature and mentally tough forward with an old-school skillset, Murray-Boyles brings a blend of grit, versatility, and motor that makes him a unique frontcourt presence. has Boston taking Missouri shooting guard Tamar Bates in the second round at No. 32. A smooth, left-handed wing with elite shooting, a polished offensive game and a high basketball IQ. ... He excels in catch-and-shoot situations and has a reliable pull-up jumper, including a notable step-back three. USA Today: Hugo Gonzalez, G/F, Real Madrid Hugo Gonzalez of Real Madrid. Borja B. Hojas / Getty Images One of Europe's top young NBA prospects, Gonzalez is a versatile wing with the ability to score inside and out. He can handle the basketball, pass and is a surprising shot-blocker. He's still raw.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Clippers Predicted to Draft UNC's Drake Powell
Clippers Predicted to Draft UNC's Drake Powell originally appeared on Athlon Sports. We are less than two weeks away from the NBA Draft and there are still plenty of directions the Los Angeles Clippers can go with their first pick. Advertisement They have plenty of needs. The Clippers could use a scorer. They need a power forward. They need another guard. Depth is also a need all over their roster. A new prediction would see them bring in a wing, but one who may not be ready to contribute for a while. Los Angeles Clippers logoKirby Lee-Imagn Images In the latest mock draft, The Athletic's Sam Vecenie predicted the Clippers would use their first-round pick to select UNC wing Drake Powell. Powell was a great wing defender for UNC in his lone college season. However, his draft stock is going to largely depend on how much teams believe he can develop on the offensive end of the floor. He was limited on offense this past season. He averaged just 7.4 points and 1.1 assists per game. Advertisement There were some positive signs. He shot 48.3% from the field and 37.9% from three, so there seems to be potential for him to become a dependable three-and-D wing. Powell doesn't fill an immediate need for the Clippers. They had one of the NBA's best defenses this past season. Their wing spots are also expected to be occupied by Kawhi Leonard and either James Harden or a big name they bring in to partner with him in the backcourt. While that means he likely isn't going to have a big impact any time soon, it could be a positive for him. He'll need time to grow as a scorer. The Clippers could give him that time. He'd also likely have an opportunity to take on a much larger role for the Clippers in a couple of years as their veterans move on. Advertisement Powell probably wouldn't play a part in the Clippers working their way into title contention over the next couple of years, but he has upside and one area where he excels. He could be worth a shot for the Clippers if there isn't somebody available who could help sooner. Related: Report: Clippers Called About Potentially Trading for 15-Time All-Star Related: 12-Time All-Star's Latest Comments Could Indicate He Wants to Return to Clippers This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Should the Boston Celtics take UNC guard Drake Powell in the 2025 NBA draft?
Should the Boston Celtics take UNC guard Drake Powell in the 2025 NBA draft? The North Carolina swingman might not have had the most productive freshman campaign at first glance (7.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per 25.5 minutes per game with the Tarheels in 2024-25), but Powell has the upside and frame to become a starter-level wing at the NBA level with some skills to help a bit while he grows into a larger role. A fast, athletic guard with size and mobility, he still needs to figure out how to use his natural gifts on the defensive end of the court to maximum effect, and he's already pretty good. And while he hasn't been the most aggressive on the other end, at just 19 years old, he has time to develop his offensive game. Still a bit raw for what Boston might be after, his upside hints at a gamble worth taking for the Celtics if he ends up in their range. Advertisement The hosts of the CLNS Media "How Bout Them Celtics!" podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, took some time on a recent episode of their show to talk it over. Check it out below! If you enjoy this pod, check out the "How Bout Them Celtics," "First to the Floor," and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network: This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Should the Celtics take UNC guard Drake Powell in the 2025 NBA draft?
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Should the Boston Celtics take UNC guard Drake Powell in the 2025 NBA draft?
Should the Boston Celtics take UNC guard Drake Powell in the 2025 NBA draft? Should the Boston Celtics take UNC guard Drake Powell in the 2025 NBA draft? The North Carolina swingman might not have had the most productive freshman campaign at first glance (7.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per 25.5 minutes per game with the Tarheels in 2024-25), but Powell has the upside and frame to become a starter-level wing at the NBA level with some skills to help a bit while he grows into a larger role. A fast, athletic guard with size and mobility, he still needs to figure out how to use his natural gifts on the defensive end of the court to maximum effect, and he's already pretty good. And while he hasn't been the most aggressive on the other end, at just 19 years old, he has time to develop his offensive game. Still a bit raw for what Boston might be after, his upside hints at a gamble worth taking for the Celtics if he ends up in their range. The hosts of the CLNS Media "How Bout Them Celtics!" podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, took some time on a recent episode of their show to talk it over. Check it out below! If you enjoy this pod, check out the "How Bout Them Celtics," "First to the Floor," and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network:
