Toronto Raptors draft SG Norman Powell (pick #46)

By Kevin Nimmock | Jun 26, 2015

The Toronto Raptors were the first team to execute a trade during the draft, moving Greivis Vasquez to the Milwaukee Bucks for the 46th pick and a 2017 first-round pick. With the 46th pick, the Raptors drafted SG Norman Powell out of UCLA. By every indication, Powell could become a decent NBA player if he is able to continue to do what he does best and improve on a few weaker areas of his game. He isn’t destined for stardom, but he could break the 15-man roster down the line.

More from Raptors News

Powell played four years at UCLA, which means he has taken the time to develop his game and mature into a good locker room presence. Powell won’t be like many second-round picks who are full of upside with minimal polish. Instead, his ceiling is a lot lower, but the Raptors also know exactly what they will get out of him early on.

This quote from draftexpress.com sums up Powell perfectly: “Normal Powell may not be an elite scorer or a dynamic playmaker at this stage, but he’s one of the more hard-nose competitors you’ll find in the college game.” Powell didn’t miss a single game during his NCAA career and always delivered a full scale effort. He struggled to find minutes in his first two years at UCLA, but was able to finally emerge as a quality player during his junior season.

Powell’s biggest strength by far is how he uses his athleticism. He is a strong, quick guard with the ability to really bother opposing players on the defensive end. He plays pretty smart, staying in position on defence and gambling at the right time for steals. He has no problem throwing himself onto the ground after loose balls and he always brings energy against stronger, quicker guards. On the defensive end, Powell will likely be pretty good throughout his professional career.

Offensively, he leaves a lot to be desired. Powell does not have the best stroke, though he did hit 45.6% of his shots last season. He was really an average shooter throughout his career, so there is an okay foundation for the Raps to build from. The good news is he understands when to drive and when to shoot, even if he isn’t amazing at either. He makes intelligent choices to give himself the best chance possible.

Powell is a decent ball handler, but he won’t be good enough to get very far against elite NBA players. He will struggle to create his own shot if he does get to play early on at the NBA level. Overall, his offensive game was fine in college, but won’t be enough to get far in The Association without considerable improvement. But, he has shown the ability to improve in the past, so there is no reason he won’t continue to do so.

The problem with an elite athlete in the NCAA is that he normally becomes an average athlete in the pros. So, Powell’s reliance on that part of his game just won’t be enough. He will need to become technically better. Still, he offers some potential for the Raptors as a defensive-minded shooting guard for the future. Expect Powell to play on the Raptors’ new D-League team this year.

More from Raptors Rapture

Home/Raptors News