Chapel Hill’s own Drake Powell, the talented guard-forward from the University of North Carolina, is currently projected as a late first-round pick in ESPN’s most recent 2025 NBA Mock Draft. This comes as the highly anticipated NBA Draft is set to take center stage on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
Powell, who grew up just minutes from the UNC campus, saw his dream of playing for the Tar Heels come true, and now he’s on the cusp of realizing another lifelong ambition: playing in the NBA. His journey from a promising freshman to a potential first-round selection has been a testament to his rapid development and compelling skillset.
Drake Powell began his freshman campaign at North Carolina as one of the team’s top bench options. However, through consistent lockdown defense and several strong offensive performances, he quickly solidified his place in the starting lineup, averaging nearly 26 minutes per appearance. While his offensive numbers (7.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game across 37 outings) might not jump off the page, his impact on the court extended far beyond scoring.
Powell’s physical attributes are a major draw for NBA scouts. Standing at 6-foot-6 with an impressive 7-foot wingspan and an 8-foot-7 standing reach, he possesses the length and athleticism crucial for success at the next level. These measurements, combined with his off-the-charts athleticism, make him a versatile two-way player.
One of Powell’s most celebrated attributes is his defensive prowess. He is widely considered a “switch-everything defender” who plays with an incredibly high motor. NBA teams are reportedly drawn to his feel for the game and long-term upside, particularly his ability to guard positions from point guards to power forwards. He consistently flies around the court to protect the rim, crashes the glass, and closes out with purpose on the perimeter. His tremendous mobility in covering ground and rotating all over the floor has impressed evaluators.
While his defensive game is his calling card, Powell has shown flashes of offensive potential. His 6-foot-6 stature and impressive reach make him a difficult player to defend, allowing him to elevate over opponents and utilize his high release point on his shot. He averaged 37.9% from beyond the arc on 2.6 attempts per game during his freshman season, demonstrating a nascent perimeter shooting ability that, if it continues to develop, could make him an even more valuable “3-and-D” prospect in the NBA.
The main question surrounding Powell’s offensive game is whether he will become an aggressive enough scorer or accurate enough shooter to truly hold his own consistently at the NBA level. However, his strong showing at the NBA Combine, where he tied for the fifth-fastest time in the three-quarter sprint (3.07 seconds) and had the highest standing vertical leap (37.5 inches), underscored his physical readiness and untapped offensive potential.
In ESPN’s latest NBA Mock Draft, co-authored by Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo, Drake Powell is projected to be selected by the Boston Celtics with the 28th overall pick. This would place him squarely in the late first round, a significant achievement for a player who was often considered a second-round talent earlier in his collegiate career.
A potential landing spot with the Boston Celtics is particularly intriguing. The Celtics, fresh off their 18th NBA title in 2024, are arguably the league’s most storied franchise and boast immense offensive firepower with stars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. However, they are also an elite defensive squad, a characteristic that perfectly aligns with Powell’s strengths. His defensive presence would only add to Boston’s versatility and intensity on that end of the floor. Joining a winning culture and a deep roster like the Celtics could provide Powell with an ideal environment to develop his game without immediate pressure to be a primary scorer.
While Drake Powell is the most prominent UNC player projected to be selected in the first round, other Tar Heels may hear their names called in the two-round draft. While the specific names beyond Powell aren’t consistently highlighted as first-round locks in recent mocks, the Tar Heels program generally sees a few players transition to the professional ranks each year.
For Drake Powell, hearing his name called in the first round would culminate a remarkable year of growth and solidify his decision to enter the NBA Draft after just one season at UNC. His blend of defensive tenacity, athleticism, and developing offensive game makes him an intriguing prospect for teams looking to add a high-motor, versatile wing.
For the University of North Carolina basketball program, having another player projected for the first round underscores its continued ability to develop NBA-ready talent. As the 2025 NBA Draft approaches on Wednesday, June 25th, all eyes will be on Drake Powell, a testament to how quickly a player’s stock can rise with hard work and a compelling skillset.
