UNC might have its first NBA Draft selection since 2021.
Basketball players who don a North Carolina Tar Heels uniform tend to play multiple years, as UNC is more of a collegiate program, as opposed to a quick NBA stopover like Duke.
North Carolina has its fair share of one-and-dones, though, most recently Day’Ron Sharpe. More notable to Tar Heel fans, Cole Anthony played in Chapel Hill during the 2019-2020 season (18.5 points per game) – before heading to the Orlando Magic – after his 15th overall selection in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Drake Powell could be the next one-and-done to join the above list, as he recently declared for the 2025 NBA Draft. This is a good decision for Powell, considering his buzz, but left open the possibility for a return to UNC.
Speaking of Draft buzz, Powell is projected to team up with another former Tar Heel in the NBA Draft. In SportsIllustrated’s latest Mock Draft, via North Carolina Tar Heels on SI’s Matt Giles, Powell goes 45th overall (second round) to the Orlando Magic.
If the above scenario happens, Powell would join forces with Anthony. Powell would fit in well on Orlando – a solid, young promising team on the rise.
Powell got to live out his childhood dream during UNC’s 2024-2025 campaign, play his freshman year one the team he grew up cheering for. While Powell quickly became recognized as a lockdown defender, he also added a solid scoring punch with 7.4 points per game.
Anthony and his Orlando teammates recently wrapped up their season in the NBA Playoffs, losing in five games of their First Round series against the Boston Celtics. Anthony averaged 9.4 points per game across 67 games (22 starts).
Imagine the Powell-Anthony duo in the Sunshine State. Though Powell and Anthony never played together at North Carolina, I imagine they’ll develop quick chemistry.
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