NBA Draft Scouting Report: Sacramento State's Duncan Powell

Prospect Profile

Powell's path to Sacramento State has been fascinating, as he enters the season with a real chance to break out and make the leap to the NBA sooner than later. A former ESPN Top 100 recruit, he had offers from many of the premier programs in the country but opted to go to North Carolina A&T, becoming the highest rated player to ever commit to an HBCU.

A knee injury late in high school resulted in a long road to recovery, but he made his college debut last season following an extended time away from the court. As his first college season went on and he got closer to 100% health and in game shape, his game really started to pop. Powell averaged 16 points and 10 boards in final five games of the season. This was specially impressive considering it was his first time playing since junior year of high school and was coming off the bench.

A combo forward with an NBA-ready body at 240 pounds, Powell is extremely strong and uses that frame to his advantage. Although not a true point forward as of today, he is comfortable handling the ball and plays a very perimeter-oriented game. Entering his second college season following the transfer to the West Coast, he's become a better 3-point shooter which should open things up. He shot 30% from beyond the arc from the turn of the calendar year on last season, but has only gotten better since.

Another thing that Powell does well is clean the glass, especially on the defensive end of the floor. He notched a 20.2% defensive rebound rate last season which speaks to his strength and ability to use that size to his advantage. This is also why he's such a versatile defender, as he has the strength to defend bigger forwards, but the agility to also cover in space. 

While Powell is built like a traditional power forward, he can play both small ball center situationally as well on as on the wing. If he can continue to improve as a playmaker and handler of the ball, that will pop to NBA teams.

There's always players in the Big Sky Conference that shine and have a shot at making the NBA, with Powell having a chance to be that guy this season.

Highlights

Draft Projection

Second-Round Pick in 2024 NBA Draft.

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