UNC’s Drake Powell Skyrockets at NBA Combine — Could Break Chapel Hill’s First-Round Draft Drought

Drake Powell, the one-and-done UNC wing, is turning heads at just the right time. After a strong showing at the NBA Draft Combine, the former five-star prospect is climbing draft boards — and fast.

Despite a modest freshman season stat line (7.4 points, 3.4 rebounds in 25.6 minutes), Powell’s elite athleticism was on full display in Chicago. He led all combine participants with a 43-inch max vertical leap and 37.5-inch standing vertical, both the top marks in their categories.

The performance helped push Powell up ESPN’s mock draft, now projecting him at No. 31 overall to the Timberwolves — potentially ending UNC’s three-year drought without a first-round pick.

With his raw tools, two-way upside, and growing buzz, don’t be surprised if Powell cracks the top 20 before draft night. He’s officially “on the rise” — and scouts are watching.

The UNC basketball forward is now in the top 10 transfer portal undecided.

Uncertainty Surrounds Ven-Allen Lubin’s Next Move After Entering Transfer Portal

The future of former UNC basketball forward Ven-Allen Lubin remains unclear as the offseason continues.

When Lubin entered the transfer portal nearly three weeks ago, he made it clear that his intention was to return to Chapel Hill for his senior season. However, as time has passed and buzz around other programs — including potential interest from in-state rival NC State — continues to build, a return to UNC is starting to feel less likely.

Lubin, a 6-foot-8, 230-pound Florida native, has already spent single seasons at Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, and UNC. In his lone year with the Tar Heels, he started in more than half the games and emerged as a consistent contributor.

Now considered one of the top remaining uncommitted players in the portal, Lubin ranks No. 144 overall on 247Sports’ transfer board and sits at No. 9 among those still weighing their options.

Given his production last season — 8.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and nearly one block per game in just under 20 minutes — Lubin is attracting strong interest from several programs still looking to bolster their rosters. Where he lands next is still anyone’s guess.

One-and-Done UNC Basketball Players Not Included in Draft Combine Scrimmage Squads

Drake Powell Attends NBA Draft Combine, Skips Scrimmage Action

Former UNC basketball standout Drake Powell is in Chicago for the NBA Draft Combine, but he won’t be taking part in the five-on-five scrimmages set to begin Wednesday afternoon.

Powell, a 6-foot-6 wing from Pittsboro, North Carolina, was one of the first 75 players invited to the pre-draft event. Although the scrimmages are optional, they often serve as a key opportunity for prospects to elevate their stock ahead of the draft. Still, skipping the games is not uncommon — and Powell is one of eight projected second-round picks sitting out, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.

Others opting out include Duke’s Tyrese Proctor, Rocco Zikarsky from Australia, Tennessee’s Chaz Lanier, Alabama’s Labaron Philon, Auburn’s Johni Broome, Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner, and Florida’s Alex Condon.

Powell remains the lone UNC representative at this year’s Combine and is currently projected to be selected in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft, which will take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on June 25–26.

During his lone season in Chapel Hill, Powell played in all 37 games for the Tar Heels, averaging 7.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in just over 25 minutes per contest. He posted efficient shooting numbers, hitting 48.3% from the floor, 37.9% from beyond the arc, and 64.8% from the free-throw line. Though still raw, his athleticism and two-way upside have kept him firmly on NBA scouts’ radar.

UNC Basketball: Another Dubious Tournament Team Under Hubert Davis

Is This Really a Contender? Tar Heels’ 2025-26 Roster Raises Major Questions

When examining the current makeup of the 2025-26 UNC basketball team, there’s no immediate sign of elite firepower or star power. On paper, this doesn’t look like a squad destined to dominate.

Of all the freshmen brought in during Hubert Davis’ tenure, only Ian Jackson managed to crack double digits in scoring — and just barely. The former five-star McDonald’s All-American averaged 11.9 points per game before transferring out, his role fluctuating throughout the season.

Now, another five-star McDonald’s All-American is set to join the fold: forward Caleb Wilson, a top-10 recruit in the 2025 class. But some insiders believe he might start his college career on the bench, just like Jackson did.

“I’m not sure North Carolina is even a tournament team right now,” said Rob Dauster of The Field of 68 podcast on Thursday — a sobering take for Tar Heel faithful.

While the team welcomes a couple of promising four-star freshman guards and returns just two scholarship players — including only one part-time starter in senior Seth Trimble — the transfer additions have not blown anyone away. The lone consensus top-100 transfer, former Arizona center Henri Veesaar, is expected to anchor the paint. But he’s yet to average double figures or show sustained dominance at the collegiate level, only earning his first start this past February.

The bottom line: Hubert Davis’ fifth UNC roster lacks proven star talent and feels more like a work in progress than a title contender. Once again, North Carolina finds itself outside many national top 25 projections. After missing the NCAA Tournament last season and striking out on several key portal targets, this offseason haul isn’t what fans were hoping for.

Will this be another season of falling short in Chapel Hill — or is there still hope for a surprise turnaround?

Big-Time Pickup for the Tar Heels! Join Us in Welcoming Jaydon Young to Chapel Hill!

Big-Time Pickup for the Tar Heels! Join Us in Welcoming Jaydon Young to Chapel Hill!

The North Carolina Tar Heels just added another major piece to their basketball future—say hello to Jaydon Young, the newest Tar Heel ready to make waves in Chapel Hill!

A 6-foot-4 guard from Greensboro, North Carolina, Young brings a dynamic mix of toughness, scoring ability, and defensive grit that perfectly fits the Carolina blueprint. Known for his relentless energy on both ends of the floor, he’s been a standout throughout his high school career, showcasing a high basketball IQ, leadership qualities, and a game that continues to evolve.

Young had offers from several high-major programs, but ultimately, it was UNC’s tradition, coaching staff, and family atmosphere that sealed the deal. His commitment represents more than just another talented guard—it’s a sign that Hubert Davis is continuing to lock down elite in-state talent while building a team hungry for banners.

Tar Heel fans should be excited. Young is the kind of player who embraces the spotlight and isn’t afraid of the big moment. Whether he’s knocking down shots from deep, diving for loose balls, or clamping down on an opponent’s top scorer, his impact will be felt from day one.

UNC’s backcourt future just got brighter—and bolder.

Welcome to the Carolina family, Jaydon. Chapel Hill is ready for you!

A former basketball target for UNC decommits after being selected unexpectedly.

Back in the fall, UNC basketball was in the mix for longtime Tar Heel fan Niko Bundalo

The 6-foot-10 senior forward from Prolific Prep (Calif.) had listed UNC among his top nine schools and later included them in his final four, alongside UConn, Michigan State, and Ohio State. However, in a surprising move last November, Bundalo committed to Washington — a program that hadn’t made his previous shortlist.

Now, the recruitment race is back on. Multiple reports on Tuesday confirmed that Bundalo has been released from his signed commitment to Washington and is once again available.

Ranked No. 31 nationally in the 2025 class by the 247Sports Composite, Bundalo is now the second-highest ranked uncommitted prospect in the cycle.

It remains uncertain whether UNC head coach Hubert Davis will pursue him again, though Bundalo’s deep-rooted connection to the Tar Heels — inspired by his mother’s admiration for Michael Jordan — could make Chapel Hill a natural fit. The Tar Heels still have roster spots open for next season.

UNC Basketball Makes the Cut for the Elite Forward List

The UNC basketball program remains in the hunt for five-star recruit Anthony Thompson, who announced his top 15 schools over the weekend.

In early January, Western Reserve Academy (Ohio) standout small forward Anthony Thompson received an offer from Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis. Nearly four months later, UNC has secured a spot on his shortlist.

On Friday, Thompson revealed his top choices on social media, naming UNC along with BYU, Texas, Xavier, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Georgetown, Indiana, Auburn, Notre Dame, Purdue, Ohio State, Michigan State, and Michigan.

The 6-foot-8, 185-pound left-hander narrowed his options after drawing over 30 scholarship offers early in the 2026 recruiting cycle.

According to the 247Sports 2026 Composite rankings, Thompson currently sits at No. 11 overall, No. 3 among small forwards, and is the No. 1 prospect in Ohio.

“Whenever Anthony Thompson is in the gym, it’s tough to find a jump shot that looks better,” 247Sports’ Eric Bossi recently observed, also noting Thompson’s impressive “nearly 7-foot-3 wingspan.”

The Tar Heels have issued numerous offers to 2026 prospects and remain firmly in the mix for many of their top recruiting targets.

A second UNC basketball starter arrives at the portal before the deadline.

UNC basketball has now seen several players opt to explore the transfer portal

On Monday morning, just under two days before the portal deadline, Tar Heels forward Ven-Allen Lubin announced his intention to enter the transfer portal.