Each and every time Phenom Hoop Report gets to report or sees a commitment from a player we have seen over the years, it is always a fantastic day. It is great to see players achieve their goal to play at the next level and it is such a great accomplishment for that player.
Here is the latest commitment.
Player: Drake Powell
Class: 2024
Committed to: North Carolina
What Was Said by Phenom Hoops:
“It is the impact he makes on the court in so many areas of the court as well as what he could ultimately end up being if his trajectory continues the way it has been going. But when you look at his game today both offensively and defensively, Powell provides so much on the floor and is a player that comes out looking to prove himself. Offensively, Powell uses his length extremely well but also has big-time athleticism. With him on the court, he provides another ball-handler on the court and one that makes high IQ players, whether for himself or for others. Powell does a great job in finding his teammates on the court. He also is able to finish high above the rim or finish strong around defenders, while also having such a smooth and confident mid-range jumper. Now, there is still work left with his 3-point shooting, but one can see that he has continued to improve in that area as well. But what separates him from the rest is his impact in other areas. This is a young man that can make his impact felt on the defensive end as well, using that same length to be extremely disruptive; and he can elevate that even more when he is looking to prove himself even more. We have seen him shut down some big-time prospects in the past, as Powell can be a game-changer on the defensive end. He also uses that athleticism to block shots and be active on the boards.”
“He’s already a clear leader with this group, despite being the newest addition to the roster. Powell continues to stand out as a premier defender against all levels of competition, and is able to legitimately shut down any opponent in his crosshairs. He’s a quality rebounder and smart, adaptable offensive piece whose athleticism and three-point shooting have taken clear steps forward over the last calendar year. Powell is the ultimate teammate and winner with the two-way ability to dominate in a variety of different ways.”
“We’ve probably come to sound like a broken record, but the kid is flat-out special defensively. He’s an incredibly long, 6-foot-6 wing prospect with an excellent blend of IQ, skill, and athleticism. Powell has always possessed elite defensive instincts, so his improvement as a shooter, creator, and overall athlete has definitely taken his game to another level. It’s difficult to say anything other than positives about his unselfish, adaptable, low-maintenance game. Powell is simply an amazing leader, both by example and through production, and truly the type of guy all coaches should want on their team. While his per-game averages of 16.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 3.2 APG, and 2.6 SPG are great, folks should expect his numbers and percentages to improve across the board.”
“Powell continues to showcase his smooth mid-range game and playmaking skills but once again, when his team needed him the most, he was able to lock up and showcase how elite of a defender he can be on the court. Down in the second half, Powell took on the challenge to slow down the Team Loaded offensive weapons and it was a gamechanger in helping his team secure the come-from-behind victory.”