{"id":157334,"date":"2025-07-09T03:21:20","date_gmt":"2025-07-09T03:21:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/157334\/"},"modified":"2025-07-09T03:21:20","modified_gmt":"2025-07-09T03:21:20","slug":"injury-sidelines-former-unc-basketball-star-for-duration-of-nba-summer-league","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/157334\/","title":{"rendered":"Injury sidelines former UNC basketball star for duration of NBA Summer League"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just two weeks after the highly-anticipated NBA Draft, we’re starting to see final rosters take shape. Former UNC standout Drake Powell<\/a>, who ascended into the starting lineup last year, went 22nd overall to the Atlanta Hawks<\/a> \u2013 and ended up with the Brooklyn Nets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Two weeks post-draft means the start of NBA Summer League<\/a>, which gives draft picks golden opportunities to showcase their skills in live, game action against each before preseason and regular season action.<\/p>\n

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The post-draft hope was Powell, not guaranteed a starting spot in Brooklyn’s lineup<\/a>, would play for his new team in Summer League action. Earlier Tuesday, we learned Powell’s decision.<\/p>\n

Due to a previously undisclosed injury in which Powell tweaked his left knee, he will not participate in Summer League action this month.<\/p>\n

Powell’s rookie teammates \u2013 Egor Demin, Nolan Traor\u00e9, Ben Saraf, Danny Wolf and Adou Thiero \u2013 should all still suit up for the Nets this summer.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s extremely disappointing not to play [in summer league] because coming in with these guys, I want to compete with them,\u201d Powell said recently<\/a>. \u201cSo yeah it\u2019s definitely frustrating, but I understand it. I\u2019d say it\u2019s more of a precaution type thing right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Powell showcased tremendous durability during his lone season in Chapel Hill, appearing in all 40 (three exhibition) Tar Heel games<\/a> and starting 27 of them. Powell averaged 7.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, but defense was his calling card<\/a>, as evidenced by numerous chasedown blocks and defending the opposition’s top scorer.<\/p>\n

When Powell first suits up for Brooklyn, he’ll compete with Jalen Wilson and recently re-signed Ziaire Williams for minutes at small forward. There’s also a chance that Powell plays minutes at shooting guard and power forward.<\/p>\n

Follow us\u00a0@TarHeelsWire<\/a>\u00a0on X and like our page on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Drake Powell to miss NBA Summer League with left knee injury<\/a><\/p>\n