Drake Powell is an American basketball player who plays as a guard for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels. Born on September 8, 2005, in Durham, North Carolina, he stands 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 195 pounds.
Powell attended Northwood High School in Pittsboro, North Carolina, where he had an impressive high school career. In his senior year, he averaged 17.7 points per game on 57% shooting from the field, including 41% from three-point range, and 82% from the free-throw line.
He also contributed 7.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game. His performance earned him first-team all-state honors in both 2023 and 2024, and he was named the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A Conference Player of the Year in 2024.
Recognized as a five-star recruit, Powell committed to the University of North Carolina on September 8, 2022, choosing the Tar Heels over other offers from programs like Florida State, N.C. State, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Wake Forest, Miami, and Georgia.
In his freshman season at UNC (2024–2025), Powell played in all 30 games, starting each one. He averaged 7.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game, shooting 49.7% from the field and 37.8% from three-point range.
As of March 2025, with the UNC basketball season concluded, Powell is contemplating his future, including the possibility of declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft. He has been projected as a potential late first-round pick, though he has not yet made a definitive decision.
For more insights into Drake Powell and his journey, you might find this video interview helpful: