Drake Powell becomes UNC's first commitment in 2024

Drake Powell is the first commitment for North Carolina in the 2024 class.

The 6-foot-5 shooting guard is On3’s No. 47 ranked player in the 2024 class. Powell chose UNC over offers that included Florida State, Georgia, Tennessee, Wake Forest, LSU, and others.

Powell averaged 16.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and three steals for his 24-4 Pittsboro (NC) Northwood High team last year.

In Powell’s words

“Coach (Hubert) Davis called me after Kansas City,” Powell told On3. “He said he liked my game and enjoyed watching me. Growing up, North Carolina was a dream school of mine; I went to a lot of their games.”

Powell’s ties to UNC

Drake Powell’s dad, Dedric, played third base for the Tar Heels and was a letterman in 1989. Powell’s mom, Cherice, also went to UNC, where she has multiple degrees. Hubert Davis is also a relative. Former NBA All-Star Walter Davis is Powell’s great uncle. Hubert Davis is Walter Davis’s brother’s son.

Powell’s scouting report

Drake Powell has a long and lengthy basketball frame. Very projectable with broad shoulders and plenty of room to grow. Powell is an elite-level perimeter defender, one of the best in his class in the country. He has great anticipation in the passing lanes and competitive nature. On the offensive end of the floor, he is comfortable with the ball in his hands and has good vision. His handle can be a bit upright, and he is not a quick-twitch athlete, but his IQ and footwork get him to his spots on the floor. Powell has an excellent mid-range jump shot and is almost money from the elbows. His jump shot flattens out a bit from three, but his release is good, so there is an upside to cleaning that up. All in all, Powell is a player who makes winning plays and things around him run smoothly.