North Carolina’s 2024 recruiting class is the best in the country with three commitments so far. The class has two five-star recruits and a four-star recruit, and that’s after Elliot Cadeau reclassified.
But a big reason the Tar Heels have maintained the No. 1 ranking is forward Drake Powell.
The in-state recruit committed to UNC in 2022 and has since elevated his game by earning an extra star and climbing into the top 15 in recruiting rankings. Powell’s play continues to be praised this summer.
Powell is among the recruits participating in the NBPA Top 100 Camp and on Day 2, he was named a standout. Here is what Travis Branham of 247Sports wrote on Powell after the second day:
Drake Powell has been one of the biggest stock-risers in the country over the last 18 months and he is only continuing on his trajectory. He has gone from a top-75 ranked prospect up inside the top 10, and I have said it before and will say it again, he probably isn’t done rising in the rankings just yet.
On Thursday morning, Powell channeled his aggressive side and started putting his foot on the gas on the offensive end, being much more assertive. He showcased his ability to handle, create, pass and most notably shot-make.
He made shots off the catch and pull from mid-range and from three while also showing his elite defensive ability.
So far at camp, Powell is shooting 8-15 (53.3%) from 3. He may not always stuff a stat sheet, but he does a lot more that doesn’t show up in a box score to impact winning.
This is certainly great news for North Carolina as Powell’s stock continues to rise as the weeks go on. If this trend continues, he will hold his spot in the top 10 in the 2024 rankings.
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