When UNC basketball standout Drake Powell announced he was entering the NBA Draft while also retaining his college eligibility, it came as a major disappointment for Tar Heels fans. In essence, Powell has one big foot out the door, while still giving people some hope he'll return.
However, with him receiving an invite to the NBA Draft Combine, it feels like the window for him to return to Chapel Hill continues to get smaller. It also doesn't help that now some experts think he'll land in the first round.
Over the past week, several mock drafts have Powell going in the second round, but others don't see things that way. The list includes a new mock from CBS Sports' Kyle Boone, who has Powell going No. 18 overall to the Washington Wizards. This sure would be something.
UNC star Drake Powell lands with the Washington Wizards in CBS' new mock draft
"Powell's public commitment to the NBA Draft was a pleasant surprise to add to the depth of this year's class," Boone wrote about the UNC talent. "He's a rangy wing defender with elite traits who profiles as a 3-and-D prospect with room to grow."
Washington also has the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, with Boone expecting the Wizards to take Rutgers' Dylan Harper at that spot. The draft would only be made better for the Eastern Conference side if they decided to take a bit of a gamble with Powell at No. 18.
This past season for the Tar Heels and head man Hubert Davis, the 6-6, 195-pound freshman averaged 7.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. Powell signed with UNC in 2024 ranked five stars and the No. 2 small forward in the country according to the 247Sports Composite.
He broke plenty of hearts when he revealed that he was going to enter the NBA Draft. Things were only made worse for North Carolina this week with Andrej Stojakovic committing to Illinois over the ACC side.
Plenty of UNC supporters will be thrilled for Powell if he becomes a mid first-round pick, but it won't take away from the fact that people still wish he'll somehow have a change of heart and play one more season for Davis. It's not looking likely, though.