In the 2025 NBA Draft, the Brooklyn Nets selected Drake Powell, a rising star from the University of North Carolina, with the 22nd pick.

The 19-year-old Powell has excellent physical conditions among this year's rookies. He is 6 feet 5.25 inches (about 1.96 meters) barefoot, has a wingspan of 7 feet (about 2.13 meters), and weighs 205 pounds (about 93 kilograms). He recorded a maximum vertical jump of 43 inches (about 1.09 meters) in this year's joint tryout, ranking first in this year and 14th in history.

Powell also excels in speed and agility, ranking 7th among 73 players tested in the shuttle run, 8th in the three-quarter court sprint, and 10th in the change-of-direction agility test. These statistics highlight his strengths in transition and perimeter defense.

In his freshman season at the University of North Carolina, Powell played in all 37 games, starting 24, and became a key rotation player in the latter stages of the season. He was known for his defensive versatility, often displaying his ability to disrupt and suppress opposing players.

Averaging 0.7 steals and 0.7 blocks per game, Powell has become a stable barrier on the team's defensive end. Although the team had a low point on the defensive end in the 2024-25 season, Powell's high energy and off-ball coverage injected vitality into the defense.

On the offensive end, Powell averaged 7.4 points per game, with a shooting percentage of 48% and a three-point shooting percentage of 38%, showing certain outside shooting ability and finishing efficiency.

With his entry into the NBA, Powell needs to further hone his ball-handling offense and tactical execution, but with his excellent physical fitness, full-court coverage ability and defensive potential, he is expected to quickly find a role in the Brooklyn Nets' forward rotation and bring vitality and toughness to the team.