North Carolina’s Drake Powell is heading to the Brooklyn Nets.
Powell was the first and only UNC player selected during Wednesday night’s 2025 NBA Draft.
The Atlanta Hawks technically drafted Powell with the 22nd pick. However, Powell will play for the Nets, who acquired the rights to the pick in a trade.
The Nets received the 22nd pick and Terance Mann in a three-team deal involving the Hawks and the Boston Celtics. The Hawks received Kristaps Porzingis and a second-round pick. The Celtics received Georges Niang and a second-round pick.
On Wednesday night, the Nets also selected BYU’s Egor Denim with the eighth overall pick, France’s Nolan Traoré with the 19th pick, Israel’s Ben Saraf with the 26th pick and Michigan’s Danny Wolf with the 27th pick.
The Pittsboro native posted a 43-inch vertical during the NBA Combine, the highest among any player in this year’s draft class.
Powell averaged 7.4 points per game, 3.4 rebounds per game and 1.1 assists per game for the Tar Heels in the 2024-25 season. In his lone season in Chapel Hill, he shot 48.3% from the floor and 37.9% from three-point range.
Powell played at Northwood High School in Pittsboro.
“[I’m] very fortunate to have been his coach for four years, and to be a part of that journey, that little part of that journey that he’s on now, it’s very exciting and very humbling,” said Northwood HIgh School coach Matt Brown.
Brown said he planned to attend Powell’s first pro game and that he’d buy a jersey.
Northwood High School athletic director Cameron Vernon also praised Powell.
“I think we’re extremely proud to have him from our community doing so well, not only in basketball, but just out in the world,” Vernon said of Powell. “He’s a standup guy.”
Both of Powell’s parents also attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
“I’m so excited,” said Northwood High School custodian Abigail Cheek. “I’m so happy for him.”