Since UNC basketball standout Drake Powell announced he won’t be returning to Chapel Hill, fans have been eager to see who head coach Hubert Davis will bring in to bolster the Tar Heels’ revamped roster. At the same time, many are curious where Powell will land as he begins his professional journey.
Though some mock drafts have Powell sneaking into the first round, most projections place him in the second. ESPN’s post-combine mock draft echoes that consensus, pegging Powell as the first pick of the second round.
That might not be ideal for the former Tar Heel, but there’s a silver lining—ESPN predicts he’ll land with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Currently in the Western Conference Finals and led by rising star Anthony Edwards, the Wolves are trending upward. Adding Powell to the mix could be a promising move for both sides.
It’s certainly disappointing for UNC fans that Powell won’t return for a sophomore season, especially after a solid freshman year where he averaged 7.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. When he committed to the Tar Heels as a 5-star recruit and the No. 2 small forward in his class, expectations were sky-high.
With Powell chasing his NBA dream, UNC is left with a significant hole to fill—and so far, Davis hasn’t found an obvious replacement.
As the draft approaches, buzz around Powell continues to build. While Minnesota is currently seen as the most likely destination, Boston has also been linked to him in recent weeks. Wherever he lands, Powell’s next chapter is just around the corner—and if ESPN’s projection holds true, Minnesota could be a great fit.
Leave a Reply