In 2024-25, the North Carolina Tar Heels will have the No. 10 recruiting class in the nation, according to 247Sports. Although small in number, this new group has already garnered national attention for its immediate impact. Ian Jackson and Drake Powell are both five-star top-10 prospects and will enter Chapel Hill with big tasks. This duo, which also includes James Brown, makes up one of the best Tar Heel recruiting classes in recent years.
While Ian Jackson typically gets the bulk of the coverage as North Carolina State's leading freshman, Drake Powell has similarly solidified his status as one of the elite 2024 classes, making pundits pay attention. ing.
247Sports National Basketball Analyst Travis Branum named Powell the No. 1 defender in his class in Branum's annual list of top-tier defenders. Nicknamed “Krampus” in the article, Powell was recognized and praised as an elite combination of size, length, athleticism and ability to wreak havoc on defenders.
“If you're looking for a stopper in the 2024 class, look no further than Drake Powell. The 6-foot-5 wing has excellent lateral agility, long arms, high athleticism, and never tires. He is a great athlete with incredible conditioning.”
Branham wasn't the first to notice Powell's elite defense, and his recent rise to the top slot on many recruiting rankings is a result of his elite ability to defend at a consistent rate. Powell has been scouted as having a raw offensive skill set, but as many praise him, he has a high basketball IQ that will likely carve out playing time at any level.
While Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels are still looking for pieces in the transfer portal, Drake Powell continues to be an immediate impact player. North Carolina should be excited about the freshman's abilities, and he should fit well into the team's already balanced roster with high expectations.
Read the full story on Travis Branham and 247Sports here.
