UNC freshman wing Drake Powell has declared for the 2025 NBA Draft. Powell made the announcement on his Instagram page Wednesday afternoon.

While playing at Pittsboro’s Northwood High School, Powell became a five-star prospect across all major recruiting services. The son of two UNC graduates, Powell became one of the highest-rated recruits to ever sign under head coach Hubert Davis.

Powell averaged 7.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game in his freshman season in Chapel Hill. He appeared in all 37 games and started 24, including the final 11 games of the season. Carolina went 8-3 in that stretch, during which time Powell shot 39.3 percent on three-pointers and 60.5 percent on twos. For the season, Powell’s three-point percentage of 37.9 ranked behind only Ian Jackson and Jae’Lyn Withers.

A talented and athletic defender, Powell ranked third on the team with 25 blocked shots. His 26 steals ranked fourth.

Though Powell could theoretically return to Chapel Hill, his potential departure means UNC could stand to lose all five of its starters from the final game of the 2024-25 season. Elliot Cadeau and Ven-Allen Lubin have already entered the transfer portal (with Cadeau since signing with Michigan), while R.J. Davis and Jae’Lyn Withers are out of college eligibility.

 

Featured image via Associated Press/Chris Seward

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
Here's a List of Who is Transferring Out of the UNC Men's Basketball Program (2025)
The college basketball transfer portal opened March 24, and several Tar Heels have entered their names in. Here’s a list of which players have expressed their intention to leave Chapel Hill this offseason: F Ven-Allen Lubin Lubin announced his entry into the portal April 21, but with a catch: the big man said his “full […]
Seth Trimble Confirms His Return for A Senior Season With UNC Men's Basketball
Guard Seth Trimble posted on Instagram with the UNC men's basketball account Tuesday confirming he is planning to play a fourth season in Carolina blue.
'We've Got to Get Bigger': Highlights from Hubert Davis' Final Radio Show of the Season
UNC men’s basketball head coach Hubert Davis recorded his final radio show of the season Wednesday night. Davis addressed multiple topics during the hour-long broadcast, including next steps for his program, goals in the transfer portal and his recruiting process during the offseason. Here are some of Davis’ comments, which have been lightly edited for […]
Chansky's Notebook: Just Too Small
UNC head coach Hubert Davis and new general manager Jim Turner need to turn over the roster again to return the Tar Heels to relevance.
UNC's Season-Ending Loss Showed the Tar Heels' Identity, For Better And For Worse
UNC ended the season much the same way it began it: consistently inconsistent, and falling a few plays short of a signature win.
Ole Miss Holds Off Comeback, Ends UNC Men's Basketball's Season in NCAA 1st Round
Chapelboro.com’s coverage of UNC in the NCAA Tournament is proudly presented by Town Hall Grill in Southern Village, and High & Rubish Insurance Agency. UNC fell behind early and never recovered against No. 6 seed Ole Miss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Friday afternoon in Milwaukee, falling to the Rebels 71-64. The Tar Heels’ […]
Chansky's Notebook: Dour Dancing
The ACC needs more than one team to advance into the second round, or it would underscore criticism of the underperforming conference.
The UNC Fan's Travel Guide to Milwaukee
Chapelboro.com’s coverage of UNC in the NCAA Tournament is proudly presented by Town Hall Grill in Southern Village, and High & Rubish Insurance Agency. UNC men’s basketball fans have flocked to Milwaukee to support the Tar Heels in the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament this weekend. It’s a rare trip to Wisconsin for the […]
UNC Men's Basketball NCAA Tournament Opponent Breakdown: Ole Miss
Chapelboro.com’s coverage of UNC in the NCAA Tournament is proudly presented by Town Hall Grill in Southern Village, and High & Rubish Insurance Agency. After beating San Diego State in the First Four Tuesday night in Dayton, Carolina is moving on to the Round of 64 in the NCAA Tournament. The Tar Heels will face No. […]
Chansky's Notebook: Hoops Galore
Between the men's and women's NCAA Tournaments, the Triangle will be the capital of the college basketball world this weekend.
›