Beth Hall-USA Today Sports
Name: Marshawn Powell
Age: 23
Height: 6-foot-7
Position: Power Forward
School/Country: Arkansas
Latest Stats: 14.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.2 bpg, 1.2 spg
Arkansas power forward Marshawn Powell made the decision to forgo his senior season and enter the 2013 NBA Draft. While that may come as a bit of a shock to some, consider this — Powell is already 23 years old. After missing nearly the entire 2011-12 season with a torn ACL, Powell returned to the court this past year and averaged 14.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Even despite his decision to enter the draft as an early entrant, Powell faces a likely possibility of going undrafted this upcoming June.
Powell has good athleticism, but there’s no denying the fact that he has lost a step since the ACL injury. That doesn’t bode well considering he is entering the draft as an undersized power forward, standing at just 6-foot-7. Unfortunately, don’t count on Powell hearing his name called on draft night.
Strengths: Powell has improved on his outside game and evolved more as a threat on the perimeter this past season. Powell has good athleticism and he has shown the ability to score and rebound the basketball well. He has improving strength and is not afraid to take contact and get to the free throw line.
Weaknesses: Powell is undersized for an NBA power forward and although he has developed more of an outside game, he’s not really equipped to play on the perimeter. Powell needs to be more efficient on the offensive end because despite scoring 14.5 points this past season, he averaged 11 shot attempts per game.
Draft Projection: Undrafted
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