Injury sidelines former UNC basketball star for duration of NBA Summer League
Drake Powell won't play for the Brooklyn Nets' NBA Summer League team because of a left knee issue. #UNC #ProHeels https://t.co/LWGIRFhsQe
Just two weeks after the highly-anticipated NBA Draft, we're starting to see final rosters take shape. Former UNC standout Drake Powell, who ascended into the starting lineup last year, went 22nd overall to the Atlanta Hawks – and ended up with the Brooklyn Nets.
Two weeks post-draft means the start of NBA Summer League, which gives draft picks golden opportunities to showcase their skills in live, game action against each before preseason and regular season action.
The post-draft hope was Powell, not guaranteed a starting spot in Brooklyn's lineup, would play for his new team in Summer League action. Earlier Tuesday, we learned Powell's decision.
Due to a previously undisclosed injury in which Powell tweaked his left knee, he will not participate in Summer League action this month.
Powell's rookie teammates – Egor Demin, Nolan Traoré, Ben Saraf, Danny Wolf and Adou Thiero – should all still suit up for the Nets this summer.
"It's extremely disappointing not to play [in summer league] because coming in with these guys, I want to compete with them,' Powell said recently. 'So yeah it's definitely frustrating, but I understand it. I'd say it's more of a precaution type thing right now.'
Powell showcased tremendous durability during his lone season in Chapel Hill, appearing in all 40 (three exhibition) Tar Heel games and starting 27 of them. Powell averaged 7.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, but defense was his calling card, as evidenced by numerous chasedown blocks and defending the opposition's top scorer.
When Powell first suits up for Brooklyn, he'll compete with Jalen Wilson and recently re-signed Ziaire Williams for minutes at small forward. There's also a chance that Powell plays minutes at shooting guard and power forward.
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