Former UNC basketball standout Drake Powell heard his name called on Wednesday night as part of the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft.
Powell was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the No. 22 overall pick, but his draft rights will be sent to the Brooklyn Nets as part of a projected trade.
Shortly after the selection was made, fans and media members alike took to social media to voice their opinions on the pick. While some questioned the pick (and essentially all five picks the Nets made throughout the night), the overwhelming majority believe that Powell was a great pick, especially where the Nets were able to land him.
Check out some social media posts below to see what the basketball world had to say about Drake Powell becoming the newest member of the Brooklyn Nets organization:
Drake Powell will be a better NBA player than college player
— Let God Sort Em Out (@Skip2MyLou_) June 26, 2025
Drake Powell I like it pic.twitter.com/RsQmyI2dsB
— J (@bklnfin3st) June 26, 2025
Brooklyn Nets 22nd Pick Drake Powell number 2 in Standing Vertical Jump and Max vertical jump. Top 5 in lane agility and Three Quarter Sprint.
— Jeri Tsai (@JeriTsaiNets) June 26, 2025
All that to say Powell is very athletic guard. #NetsWorld pic.twitter.com/rEXVhoocKt
Love Drake Powell
— BKN 85 (@brooklynnets85) June 26, 2025
Ceiling is very high, could've been a lottery pick if he returned to school and transferred
Tools to be an all NBA wing defender
Drake Powell is an elite on-ball perimeter defender, excited for him to be in Brooklyn
— Tate Frazier (@tatefrazier) June 26, 2025
22. Nets - Drake Powell ~ B
— Latif Love (@realLatifLove) June 26, 2025
Might be their best pick yet honestly. Great defender, great athlete, could be a good shooter.
Might be a good piece down the line.
LOVE the Drake Powell pick here, hes got great length and defensive versatility. Raw offensively, I was surprised he declared after one year at UNC. Thought he'd play another year in college. Was a 5 star out of HS.
— Noah 🏀 (@NoahF31511) June 26, 2025
Selection No. 22: @BrooklynNets just drafted one of my favorite players in @UNC_Basketball Drake Powell. A year ago he was one of college basketball top incoming freshman. Not sure why he averaged the only seven points a game (see Carter Bryant) but he is as good a wing defender,…
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) June 26, 2025
Drake Powell is oozing with potential and is only 19-20. Has a great feel for the game and an all around player. Needs to work on that 3pt shot but he is really fluid on the court. #NetsWorld
— Nets Drip (@NetsDrip) June 26, 2025
Looking back at the Drake Powell pick in 5 years (probably) pic.twitter.com/C9s3k1ETDX
— BKN (@NetsTalksIG) June 26, 2025
DRAKE POWELL OG ANUNOBY 2.0 ON MY TEAM pic.twitter.com/QNdBEwqxQC
— vro ➐ (@Sexhaver999) June 26, 2025