UNC’s Drake Powell Projected to Team Up with Tar Heel Alum Cole Anthony in NBA Draft Twist

Drake Powell’s NBA dreams could lead him straight into a reunion with Tar Heel history.

Just a week after declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft, the former UNC basketball standout is still holding steady in mock projections, with the latest from Sports Illustrated placing him at No. 45 overall to the Orlando Magic. The twist? That pick could make Powell teammates with none other than fellow UNC one-and-done Cole Anthony.

Anthony, who starred in Chapel Hill during the 2019–20 season, just wrapped up his fifth NBA year, all with the Magic, contributing clutch moments and solid stats (9.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists) en route to back-to-back playoff appearances.

Now, the 6-foot-6 Powell, who turns 20 in September, has a shot to follow in his footsteps. After averaging 7.4 points and 3.4 rebounds as a freshman at UNC, the high-flying wing has a chance to climb draft boards during the NBA Combine and individual workouts.

He remains the lone Tar Heel from last season projected to hear his name called at the 2024 Draft — but if Orlando pulls the trigger, fans might just get to see a new Carolina connection light it up in the NBA.

Quick Contact with Newly Eligible Transfer Talent by UNC Basketball

The UNC basketball coaching staff might be eyeing Devan Cambridge as the final piece to complete their 2025–26 roster puzzle

On Thursday afternoon, Joe Tipton of On3 reported a major development: the NCAA has granted Texas Tech transfer Devan Cambridge a medical hardship waiver, officially giving him a rare seventh year of college eligibility. Just a few hours later, Tipton revealed that the Tar Heel coaches had already reached out—wasting no time in expressing interest.

Cambridge, a rugged 6-foot-6, 210-pound forward, has bounced back from injury setbacks that limited him to only 14 games over two seasons at Texas Tech. Before that, he showcased his talent with impactful runs at Auburn and Arizona State. Now fully healthy, the 24-year-old Nashville native is drawing attention from multiple programs, including Ohio State, Pitt, Arizona, Arizona State, Seton Hall, and Pepperdine. He’s slated to visit Pitt next week as the recruitment race heats up.

Across his well-traveled collegiate career, Cambridge has appeared in 141 games, notching 78 starts while amassing 1,016 points, 536 rebounds, 83 steals, and 71 blocks. Though his sample size at Texas Tech was small, he impressed with a 54.5% field goal clip. His three-point shooting remains a work in progress (27.8%), but his physicality and experience make him a coveted asset.

The Tar Heels have already landed a loaded transfer class this offseason, including former Arizona big man Henri Veesaar, who ranks No. 30 in the transfer portal according to 247Sports. Adding a battle-tested veteran like Cambridge could be the final spark for a deep tournament run.