Offense Drake Powell brings value as a low-usage, high-efficiency off-ball player with NBA-ready physical tools and a budding shooting profile. While he rarely initiated offense as a freshman, he carved out a role through timely cuts, smart relocation, and strong finishing. Powell’s physicality and vertical pop allow him to convert through contact at the rim, and his ability to finish with either hand adds versatility to his slashing game. He thrives filling lanes in transition and sneaking behind defenses on cuts, where his athleticism and awareness give him easy scoring chances. Spot-up shooting is quietly becoming a real strength. Powell hit nearly 40% of his threes as a freshman, all off the catch, and maintains a high release point that makes his jumper difficult to contest. While his free-throw percentage remains a concern, his shooting mechanics are mostly clean outside of some guide-hand flaring, and his consistent results on spot-up looks both in college and previously on the EYBL circuit are encouraging. He rarely forces bad shots and tends to make smart decisions on the move, adding some connective playmaking value. Though not a creator, Powell can occasionally make the right read off a closeout or keep the ball moving with a quick interior or kickout pass. Where Powell still has ground to cover is with the ball in his hands. His handle is loose and upright, limiting his ability to create space or generate offense in isolation. His one or two-dribble pull-up looks are basic, and he can be turnover-prone when asked to do too much off the bounce. Streamlining his decision-making in spot-up situations, eliminating wasted dribbles and committing to a shoot/pass/drive read, will be key to maximizing his efficiency and staying on the floor in the NBA. Defense Defense is Powell’s calling card. With a long 7-foot wingspan, strong frame, quick feet, and an active motor, he has the tools to become a switchable wing stopper. At the point of attack, he absorbs contact well and competes physically with both guards and wings, using his size and quickness to wall off drives and contain slashers. His footwork and hand activity make him a tough assignment for isolation scorers, and he’s not shy about taking on top matchups. Though he isn’t yet a high-impact defensive playmaker, Powell shows the foundation to become one. His steal and block numbers were modest as a freshman, but his body control, instincts, and ability to stay in plays suggest he can improve in this area. He’ll need to better leverage his tools, jumping passing lanes, timing digs, and providing weakside help, to become more disruptive. Off-ball, he’s generally alert but can occasionally lose track of his man or arrive late on rotations. However, his motor and discipline are strong indicators that these issues are fixable with more reps and experience. Powell’s physicality and lateral quickness give him multi-positional versatility on defense, and his willingness to fight through screens or absorb contact on drives should make him valuable in a variety of schemes, especially those that prioritize switching. Looking Ahead Drake Powell doesn’t project as a high-usage scorer or offensive initiator, but he checks a lot of boxes for a modern 3-and-D wing. His ability to defend multiple positions, hit open threes, and finish efficiently in off-ball roles gives him a clear pathway to rotation minutes early in his NBA career. The next steps, tightening his handle, increasing his defensive event creation, and refining his shooting consistency, will determine whether he settles in as a reliable role player or grows into a starting-caliber contributor. If the jumper holds and his defensive disruption improves, Powell has a realistic path toward being a rotation wing. Powell’s size, motor, and low-maintenance game could make him a valuable late first-round or early second-round pick.