NEW YORK — The Brooklyn Nets selected forward Drake Powell out of the University of North Carolina with the 22nd overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft about two months ago. Brooklyn made five first-round picks in the Draft and Powell is one of the players that could present a different skill set from the rest of the class. Powell is ready for the change in role.

“I feel like my defense, that’s mainly just pride. That’s just something that I’ve had since growing up at a young age playing with my older brother, older cousin,” Powell said during the press conference that the Nets put on with the rookies following the Draft. Coming into the Draft, Powell was regarded as the prototypical 3-and-D wing who has the potential to add more to his game due to how he played in high school.

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“He didn’t put up flashy numbers as a freshman, but he showed glimpses of his potential on both ends,” Bleacher Report’s NBA staff wrote in its scouting report of Powell. “His frame, motor and willingness to compete give him a strong foundation to build on. Of course, Powell’s game is still raw, especially on offense. He will need time to polish his handle, shot and feel, particularly in the half court.”

Powell, 19, is coming off a 2024-25 college basketball season at North Carolina in which he averaged 7.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 48.3% from the field and 37.9% from three-point land. Despite heading into his freshman season as a 2024 McDonald’s All-American, Powell was asked to play a supporting role to RJ Davis and Ian Jackson.

Powell will be entering a 2025-26 season in which he will have to compete with the likes of Michael Porter Jr., Ziaire Williams, and Terance Mann for playing time at the small forward position for the Nets. Brooklyn finished the 2024-25 season 20th in defensive rating (115.8) so if Powell can bring their defensive ability to the floor early on, he may be able to play enough to show his growth on the offensive end as well.

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: What do the Nets have in former UNC forward Drake Powell?