The Brooklyn Nets made one of the more surprising decisions amongst teams in the 2025 NBA Draft as they took a record-breaking five players in the event. Brooklyn made sure to address the lack of ball-handlers on the team, but one of the players they took, forward Drake Powell, not only has a different skillset, but he’s also being honored from the place he grew up in.
“The Chatham County Board of Commissioners adopted a special resolution Monday evening honoring Pittsboro native Drake Powell on his first-round selection in the 2025 NBA Draft,” Michael Koh of chapelboro.com wrote regarding Powell. After being inquired from the Atlanta Hawks by the Nets, Brooklyn used the 22nd overall pick on bring in Powell, a player who could be the Nets’ latest attempt at finding a wing who can contribute on both ends.
“Drake’s journey… has been marked by excellence, discipline and an unwavering commitment to growth,” Chatham County’s resolution read in part, per Koch. Powell, 19, was born in Durham, North Carolina, but he spent most of his time growing up in Pittsboro, North Carolina, a town about 30 miles away from Durham. Powell played for Northwood high school in Pittsboro, where he showed his potential to be a great basketball player.
“He’s just stayed humble and very much committed to not just being a good player but being a good young man,” Chatham County commissioner Karen Howard told 97.9 The Hill, per Koch.. “It was quite an honor to be able to recognize him and wish him well in his future endeavors… this is what Chatham County and Chatham County Schools is capable of doing.”
Powell comes to the Nets after spending his freshman season at the University of North Carolina, where he averaged 7.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 48.3% from the field and 37.9% from three-point land. Powell wasn’t able to play for the Nets during the team’s trip to Las Vegas to play in the summer league due to left knee tendinopathy, but he still means something to where his basketball journey began.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets’ Drake Powell honored for being taken in 2025 NBA Draft