2024-2025 UNC basketball starter receives NBA Draft Combine Invite
Though he didn't leave UNC with a championship in his back pocket, Drake Powell lived out a childhood dream by playing for the team he grew up cheering for.
Powell, a freshman who played his high school basketball at Northwood High School in Pittsboro, North Carolina, committed to the Tar Heels and quickly became an integral part to their success. UNC typically put Powell on the opposition's leading scorer, which paid off in the form of chase down blocks, steals or not allowing room to drive for easy layups.
Advertisement
Powell also proved to pack a decent scoring punch, averaging 7.4 points per game across 37 appearances (24 starts), for North Carolina during its 2024-2025 season. Standing at 6'6" and also shooting nearly 40 percent from the perimeter, Powell's game will translate well to the NBA.
Speaking of professional basketball, Powell recently received some good news, earning an invitation to the NBA Draft Combine from May 11-18 in Chicago.
Powell's invite comes roughly two weeks after he declared for the NBA Draft. Though Powell is leaving the option open to a UNC return, a strong showing at The Combine will keep him in the Draft Pool.
Advertisement
RJ Davis is out of college eligibility, but you might be shocked to not see his name on the above list. The 2023-2024 ACC Player of the Year averaged 15.6 points per game over his 5-year career, including a career-best 21.2 during that same campaign.
Selfishly, I hope Powell returns to the Tar Heels, who have a spot to fill at small forward once again. Powell proved that his game is NBA-ready after just one season in Chapel Hill, though, so I wish him well in whatever decision he makes.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC freshman Drake Powell invited to 2025 NBA Draft Combine
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indianapolis Star
26 minutes ago
- Indianapolis Star
Have the Pacers ever won the NBA championship? Indiana's ABA title history
The Indiana Pacers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the NBA Finals and lead the best-of-seven series, 2-1. With the Pacers two wins away from a championship, what is Indiana's title history? This is what you should know: The Pacers have made the NBA Finals twice, but they have yet to win an NBA championship. Indiana made the finals in 2000 but lost to Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, 4-2. It marked the Lakers' first of three straight titles with Phil Jackson as coach. This year marks the Pacers' second trip to the finals. While Indiana hasn't appeared in the NBA Finals frequently, they have made it to the Eastern Conference Finals on 10 occasions (1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2013, 2014, 2024, 2025). Re-live the Pacers unbelievable run to the NBA Finals in IndyStar's commemorative book Before moving to the NBA in 1976, the Pacers played in the American Basketball Association (ABA) for nine seasons (1967-76).
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Steelers legend Terry Bradshaw trashes Aaron Rodgers, tells him to 'stay in California'
The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to go through organized team activities this week without Aaron Rodgers on their roster. If Terry Bradshaw had his way, it'd stay like that. The Steelers legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer left no doubt about his feelings on the Steelers' free agency dance with Rodgers during a recent radio interview. Advertisement "That's a joke," Bradshaw said on 103.7 The Buzz's "Morning Mayhem" show about Rodgers potentially joining the Steelers. "That is, just to me, a joke." Rodgers said he communicated with the Steelers front office after he became a free agent this offseason. The former Green Bay Packers quarterback hasn't made a commitment for a 21st season, though he hasn't announced his retirement, either. He cited his age, a serious relationship and people in his inner circle going through challenging times as reasons for not being ready to commit to a team. The Steelers organization has said it's willing to be patient with the 41-year-old Rodgers. But the clock is ticking as the preparations for the 2025 season continue with OTAs and a mandatory minicamp next week. Terry Bradshaw talks with Aaron Rodgers on stage after the Green Bay Packers won Super Bowl XLV on Feb. 6, 2011. Bradshaw, who won four Super Bowl titles with the Pittsburgh Steelers, doesn't want Rodgers anywhere near his old team. Rodgers and the Steelers have been in talks this offseason but the four-time NFL MVP remains a free agent. Rodgers, though, recently hinted at playing for the Steelers during a recent podcast and his former head coach in Green Bay is certain it will happen. Advertisement The 76-year-old Bradshaw, who led the Steelers to four Super Bowl victories in the 1970s, doesn't want to see Rodgers in black and gold. "What are you going to bring him in for one year?" Bradshaw questioned on the radio show. "Are you kidding me? No, man, that guy needs to stay in California, go somewhere and chew on bark and whisper to the gods out there." Rodgers lives in Malibu, California, in the offseason. Bradshaw also is likely alluding to Rodgers' off-the-field activities in using ayahuasca in Peru — the quarterback has been open about taking the psychedelic and is an advocate for it. He also took part in a darkness retreat in a secluded cabin in a forested region in Oregon two years ago when he was deciding whether he wanted to continue playing football. Advertisement Bradshaw isn't the only ex-Steelers to blast Rodgers this offseason. Ryan Clark, who played for the Steelers from 2006 to 2013, felt Rodgers was holding the team hostage by not making a decision. "It makes me sick, to be honest," Clark said April 15 on ESPN morning sports talk show "Get Up." Aaron Rodgers trending: Danica Patrick claims her relationship with quarterback was 'emotionally abusive' that wore her 'down to nothing' Will Aaron Rodgers play on the Steelers? Rodgers to the Steelers certainly appears likely. The Steelers unloaded their starting quarterbacks from last season and enter offseason activities with 29-year-old Mason Rudolph, who has 18 starts in seven seasons, and Ohio State rookie Will Howard, whom Pittsburgh selected in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, as their top two QBs. Advertisement Asked about the Chicago Bears during a recent live podcast appearance in Austin, Texas, Rodgers brought up a team — without mentioning the name — that will play in the Windy City in 2025. "I believe there's a team that might play in Chicago this year on a road trip," Rodgers said. "I don't know. I'll have to check it out." The Steelers play the Bears on Sunday, Nov. 23, at Soldier Field. Steelers schedule The Steelers continue OTAs this week before holding a three-day mandatory minicamp June 10-12. While Rodgers hasn't been at OTAs, he held a highly publicized throwing session on the campus of UCLA with new Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf in late March. Advertisement Whether that was another clue to Rodgers' plans or just a red herring remains to be seen. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Steelers legend Terry Bradshaw on Aaron Rodgers: 'Stay in California'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Aaron Judge Projected to Break Yankees Record After Latest Home Run
Aaron Judge Projected to Break Yankees Record After Latest Home Run originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Unless you've been living under a rock for the past three months, it's pretty much impossible to miss how great New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge has been during the 2025 MLB season. Advertisement Sure, Judge has already scaled dizzying heights as a hitter for the most storied franchise in baseball history. He holds the Yankees' single-season home run record and has won the American League MVP award twice in the last three seasons. Whether or not he wins a World Series, he will go down as one of the coldest to ever do it in Yankees colors. But what Judge has been up to this 2025 MLB season surpasses any and everything that he has achieved through his ninth full season in the major leagues. The 33-year-old has unlocked a whole new level as a hitter based on his stats and the eye test this season. Judge leads the major leagues in batting average and hits. He notched up his 25th home run of the season through 66 games against Cincinnati on Wednesday. New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99)Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images This brings his numbers to .394/.490/.779, with an OPS of 1.269. This OPS figure is the highest that any hitter has achieved since Barry Bonds' heyday in the early 2000s. Advertisement Judge is on pace to surpass Don Mattingly's 1986 record of 238 hits for the Yankees. If he produces at the same rate, he will end 2025 with 241 hits, which would place him tied-11th on the all-time MLB leaderboard. It goes without saying that Judge is facing possibly the toughest pitchers to ever grace the diamond. He has upped his production by swinging less often and reducing his strikeout tendencies. The Yankees' captain would be hoping to maintain this pace and help his team return to the World Series after their 2024 loss to the Dodgers. Related: Dodgers Land on Wrong Side of MLB History After Cardinals Shutout Related: Chris Rose Makes Major Yankees Prediction After 5-Game Win Streak This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
