Drake Powell is the Nets Forgotten Rookie…

Drake Powell is the Nets Forgotten Rookie…

When the Nets used all five of their first round picks in this year’s draft, many people were shocked. It was a new record and brought unprecedented youth to an NBA team. But for a team that isn’t really trying to compete right now, why not? It gives them a lot of chances at hitting on a prospect and brings intrigue to the roster. I’ve already talked about three of those picks, Demen, Sif, and Wolf, but it’s time to talk about a fourth, and this may be the least talked about of the bunch. That would be Drake Powell, the 22nd overall selection. He was the only one of the Nets rookies not to play in the summer league, which has led to him flying under the radar, but he sneakily might be the most campmiss prospect of the bunch. He’s also a very highlevel perimeter defender and should make an impact on that end right away. He’s also shot well from three on catch and shoot opportunities in the past which will be made even more valuable by all the playmakers this team has added. He’s also a top tier athlete who can put anyone on a poster. He’s likely the best athlete Brooklyn has had in years, which should be exciting for the fans. His defense will keep him on the floor, but the combination of athleticism and shooting on offense is what will be the key growth area to watch. Drake Powell is the Nets forgotten rookie. Now, let’s take a deeper look. Before we get more into the Net’s most under the radar selection, if you enjoy my content and watch a few videos of mine, think about subscribing. 96% of my viewers are actually not subscribed. So, if you watch it before and enjoy the content, drop a sub and comment down below. It really helps the channel. The Brooklyn Nets are doing something drastically different. They drafted five players in the first round of the 2025 NBA draft. And amidst all that buzz, the name rarely mentioned, Drake Powell, the 22nd overall pick and the third of those five selections. Brooklyn’s draft hall was unprecedented. Jaor Deman, Nolan Trayor, Drake Powell, Ben Sif, and Danny Wolf all came off the board in the first round. The headlines immediately went to Demon’s elite passing, Trey’s international pedigree, Sarah’s perimeter scoring potential, and Wolfe’s playmaking size. Powell, he slipped in between and got the least attention. But that’s a mistake. Powell was drafted at number 22 via trade from Atlanta. A 6’6 weighing out of North Carolina, he averaged seven points, three rebounds, shot 48% from the floor and nearly 38% from three as a freshman. Most notably, he was UNCC’s standout perimeter defender with a 7t wingspan and a 43 in vertical, traits that immediately intrigue scouts. He wasn’t the star of the college team, but he knew exactly how to contribute, and that’s exactly what Brooklyn drafted. Pal was sidelined this summer with a left knee injury, forcing him to miss summer league action. Meanwhile, Deon, Trayor, Sarif, and Wolf had platforms in Vegas and press coverage. Being the third pick on a fiveplayer draft night meant Powell was the safe pick. Quiet, reliable, but not flashy. Yet, a player who can guard multiple positions and hit spot-up threes is exactly what professional teams build around and too often overlooked in the hype cycle. Scouts describe Powell as a consumate two-way wing, switchable defender, excellent cutter, active in passing lanes, and fundamentally disciplined. His shooting mechanics might need tweaking, but the results indicate a usable 3 and D profile. In a Nets roster focused on developing multiple young assets, Powell’s type defensive impact without needing volume aligns perfectly with head coach Jordy Fernandez’s vision for the positionless team first basketball. Brooklyn is in rebuild mode. Minutes won’t be locked in by July, and no one’s guaranteed a roll beyond training camp. That means there’s a real opening for smart, dependable veterans or rookies alike. And Powell fits that mold. He’s not here to be the centerpiece. His ceiling isn’t a superstar. But what he could become is what most teams pay role players millions for. A 10 to 12 point efficient wing who plays defense, gives consistent energy, and hits the open shot. Players like Muel Bridges, Quentyn Grimes, and Josh Hart didn’t attract early hype and became vital because they were steady. Powell could follow that same trajectory if he earns trust early. Drake Powell may be the most quietly chosen player in Brooklyn’s fiveman draft party, but sometimes the quiet ones end up mattering the most. He wasn’t in summer league. He wasn’t the buzziest name. He wasn’t a lottery pick, but he fits exactly the type of player the Nets need. Brooklyn projected an identity with all five picks. When it’s all said and done, the most dependable one might just be number 22, the forgotten guy until he isn’t. Thanks for watching. I’m Herm. Have a good one.

Drake Powell is the Nets’ forgotten rookie — but he might be the most NBA-ready of the bunch.

When the Brooklyn Nets made history by selecting five players in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft, the spotlight immediately fell on flashy guards like Egor Demin, Nolan Traoré, and Ben Saraf, as well as the versatile big man Danny Wolf. But quietly sandwiched between them was Drake Powell, the 22nd overall pick — and possibly the most plug-and-play prospect of the group.

Powell didn’t suit up in Summer League due to injury, which has caused many fans to overlook him. But make no mistake: this 6’6″ wing out of North Carolina is a lockdown perimeter defender with elite athleticism and a developing jumper that already hit at a 38% clip in college. He’s the kind of player that fits perfectly into today’s NBA — think 3-and-D wing with serious bounce and defensive versatility.

He may not be the loudest name right now, but his skillset and NBA frame could make him one of the first Brooklyn rookies to earn regular minutes. And with the Nets deep into a rebuild, opportunity is everything.

In this video, we’ll break down why Powell could be the most can’t-miss rookie in the Nets’ historic draft class — even if nobody’s talking about him yet.

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