Drake Powell posted a powerful 43-inch vertical leap on the NBA scouting mix earlier than the Nets used the No. 22 decide within the draft on the taking pictures guard from North Carolina following a commerce with Atlanta.
Maybe much more spectacular?
He made that bounce whereas coping with a difficult left knee.
Powell advised The Submit that he tweaked his knee throughout the lead-up to the draft, and the Nets say the damage — which they described as tendinopathy — will preclude him from taking part in alongside the Nets’ different 4 first-round picks throughout summer season league motion starting later this week in Las Vegas.
The Nets and the 19-year-old Powell harassed he’s being held out as a precaution, and the rookie added he’d be taking part in if these had been regular-season video games.
“Absolutely. It’s extremely disappointing not to play [in summer league] because coming in with these guys, I want to compete with them,” Powell mentioned Monday at an look with the opposite Nets rookies at a camp for youths in Sundown Park in Brooklyn. “So yeah it’s definitely frustrating, but I understand it. I’d say it’s more of a precaution type thing right now.”
The 6-foot-5 Powell averaged 7.4 factors and 25.6 minutes per sport whereas taking pictures 37.9 p.c from 3-point vary in 37 video games (24 begins) as a freshman for the Tar Heels final season.
He’ll accompany the group to Las Vegas despite the fact that he shall be unable to go well with up for the video games.
“Definitely, just to be there for breaking down film and seeing what we run offensively and defensively and also to get to know my teammates and coaches,” Powell mentioned, including he was “not sure” how a lot larger he would have jumped on the mix if not for his knee situation. “I really feel like my explosiveness is what I can deliver to the group, each offensively and defensively.
“My defense is very important and I think it’s one of the staples of my game. I try to be myself, but I try to take bits and pieces from other people’s games, too, like Devin Booker and Mikal Bridges, guys like that.”
Powell will get to indicate the Nets that athleticism quickly sufficient on the courtroom, simply not this month in Vegas.
The Nets made the commerce for Powell’s rights official on Monday, additionally taking over Terance Mann’s contract from the Hawks in a three-team swap with the Celtics.
