North Carolina

NBA Draft: North Carolina’s Drake Powell Has The Most Slept On Upside In This Year’s Freshman Class

Published

2 years ago

October 6, 2024

NBA Draft: North Carolina’s Drake Powell Has The Most Slept On Upside In This Year’s Freshman Class

As a highly regarded freshman class prepares to take the stage in the 2025 college season, top-end prospects like Cooper Flagg and Ace Bailey seem to be the prizes in the upcoming draft. This is completely understandable, as they appear to have two of the highest upsides in this draft. However, North Carolina’s Drake Powell may be closer to the top than people realize. While he is a bit more raw than other projected top-five picks, he possesses the two-way upside to become one of the more valuable players available.

Powell stands out defensively, combining a strong and lengthy frame with elite athleticism, both vertically and laterally. He excels at jumping passing lanes after making off-ball reads that feel far more developed than those of a typical high school standout. His athleticism is also evident when defending the rim, whether through weak-side help or open-court chase-downs, which he times perfectly. The consistency of these chase-down blocks is eye-catching; he seems to float in the air and demolishes shot attempts with one or both hands. His on-ball defense is extremely promising as well; he uses his high motor, quick feet and physicality to stay with a wide range of opponents, making them noticeably uncomfortable.

The offensive side of the ball is where the raw aspects of his game can stand out at times. Starting with his shooting, Powell has been streaky throughout his high school career. Despite this inconsistency, his year-to-year improvements are very noticeable, pointing to his long-term potential and showcasing his elite work ethic. Young prospects who clearly acknowledge their weaknesses and are willing to work on improvements early are extremely encouraging, and Powell seems like a great example of this. He will play his freshman season with a loaded North Carolina roster, which raises questions about how much he will be used and what type of role he will fill in his first season. This may leave his draft range somewhat uncertain, possibly leading to him being selected based purely on potential. Regardless of how productive he is throughout his freshman year, Powell’s physical impact makes him comparable to versatile NBA defenders with impressive athleticism, like Houston’s Tari Eason.

He is a good driver and can finish with finesse or powerful dunks after penetrating the lane. One standout tool is his level of explosiveness when attacking from the triple threat. He can blow past defenders with his first step after lulling them to sleep with patient pivots along the perimeter. He will need to continue improving how quickly he decides to drive during his freshman year, as the level of competition will be much more capable of cutting off these drives. He also excels when driving along the baseline, where Powell can create highlights and finish over defenders at the rim.

Another interesting aspect of his game, which is still somewhat up in the air, is his court vision. As the primary offensive option throughout his high school career, defenses sold out to slow him down, creating easier looks for his teammates. He has shown flashes of being able to spot teammates and deliver the ball quickly for open looks following cuts and off-ball relocations. While he does force passes at times, giving opposing teams transition opportunities, his vision and feel are at a good spot in terms of long-term potential. Although passing will likely never be his primary role, he has the potential to serve as a great connective passer along the perimeter.

The 2025 NBA draft has made a lot of noise as the freshman class appears to be one of the most loaded in recent memory. This makes the upcoming college season extremely interesting as these players will be competing for high draft selections and thanks to the intriguing two-way upside of Drake Powell, his ceiling could be as high as anyone.

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North Carolina

North Carolina is hot, dry, and about have fireworks everywhere. Why isn’t there a burn ban?

Published

10 hours ago

June 29, 2026

Press Room

North Carolina is hot, dry, and about have fireworks everywhere. Why isn’t there a burn ban?

Right now, it’s unmissable. North Carolina, and especially the Triangle, is both very hot, and very dry. Fireworks stands are popping up, just in time for the Fourth of July. So why isn’t the state under a burn ban?

It’s a straightforward question, with a complex answer.

Both the state, through the North Carolina Forest Service, and individual counties can declare burn bans. The vast majority of the time, county fire marshals listen to the Forest Service. And right now, the Forest Service says the danger isn’t great enough – yet.

“We’re still dry, fire danger is still high, but we haven’t reached that hazardous category yet,” said Phil Jackson, a Forest Service spokesperson.

Jackson points out that the state has two fire seasons, spring and fall, and conditions right now are very different.

For one, humidity is much higher right now, and humidity “tends to bring relief to fire risk and any ongoing wildfire activity that might be happening at that moment,” said Jackson.

Leaves are also key. In spring, plants are trying to wake up from their long winter sleep. Doing that requires a lot of water, drying out the soil.

“Think of each individual root system as being a straw that is just pulling water out of the ground,” said Jackson.

In the fall, the ground is covered in lots of new dry leaves, increasing the danger again.

“When they’re in full green, like they are now, they tend to be more fire resistant,” said Jackson.

Jackson points out it’s not impossible to have a summer-time burn ban. The Forest Service is constantly monitoring conditions, and it’s possible those conditions could get worse in the coming weeks. For now, though, the fire danger, Jackson says, is “manageable.”

But while the fire risk might be manageable, that doesn’t mean people should be careless.

“We always encourage residents to avoid outdoor burning, unless it’s absolutely necessary,” said Johnston County Fire Marshal Travis Johnson.

Johnson says, especially with the Fourth of July right around the corner, anyone burning or lighting fireworks should always have a source of water nearby to douse any runaway flames. “We never want anything to happen, but want to make sure that you’re safe while using those,” said Johnson.

If a burn ban were to be implemented, it would impact Fourth of July fireworks shows. For now, though, those shows are allowed to go ahead, and remain the best option, Johnson says, for anyone who wants to see fireworks this year.

Johnson, and other fire marshals WRAL spoke with, also stressed official fireworks shows are put on by professionals, are strictly permitted and regulated, and there are always firefighters there, on standby, just in case.

“Just be safe, and enjoy the holidays,” said Johnson.

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North Carolina

Man killed, teenager hurt after wrong-way crash in Caldwell County

Published

20 hours ago

June 29, 2026

Press Room

Man killed, teenager hurt after wrong-way crash in Caldwell County

The video above is a live stream of WBTV and affiliated programming, and may not be directly related to the article below.

GRANITE FALLS, N.C. (WBTV) – A man was killed and a teenager was hurt after a head-on crash in Caldwell County on Sunday.

The deadly crash happened along Highway 321 near Glenn Ridge Drive in Granite Falls, just before 7:45 p.m. on June 28.

North Carolina state troopers said 65-year-old Marvin Wayne Anderson was driving the wrong way on Highway 321 when he crashed head-on into an 18-year-old.

Troopers said Anderson died on the highway, while the teenager was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries.

Highway Patrol said its initial investigation did not find speed or impairment to have been factors in the wreck. Troopers did not say why or how Anderson ended up on the wrong side of the road.

The crash reportedly shut Highway 321 down for several hours but it has since reopened.

Also Read: Mail worker killed in broad daylight in rural North Carolina, officials say

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North Carolina

NC Lottery Pick 3 Day, Pick 3 Evening results for June 28, 2026

Published

1 day ago

June 29, 2026

Press Room

The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Sunday, June 28, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from June 28 drawing

Day: 2-0-8, Fireball: 7

Evening: 4-1-9, Fireball: 1

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from June 28 drawing

Day: 7-7-6-5, Fireball: 4

Evening: 8-6-1-5, Fireball: 0

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 5 numbers from June 28 drawing

06-08-11-16-37

Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Double Play numbers from June 28 drawing

02-03-10-15-39

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 28 drawing

04-11-31-54-58, Bonus: 03

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All North Carolina Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.

For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at North Carolina Lottery Offices. By mail, send a prize claim form, your signed lottery ticket, copies of a government-issued photo ID and social security card to: North Carolina Education Lottery, P.O. Box 41606, Raleigh, NC 27629. Prize claims less than $600 do not require copies of photo ID or a social security card.

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a prize claim form and deliver the form, along with your signed lottery ticket and government-issued photo ID and social security card to any of these locations:

Asheville Regional Office & Claim Center: 16-G Regent Park Blvd., Asheville, NC 28806, 877-625-6886 press #1. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Greensboro Regional Office & Claim Center: 20A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407, 877-625-6886 press #2. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Charlotte Regional Office & Claim Center: 5029-A West W. T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269-1861, 877-625-6886 press #3. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
NC Lottery Headquarters: Raleigh Claim Center & Regional Office, 2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604, 877-625-6886 press #4. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Greenville Regional Office & Claim Center: 2790 Dickinson Avenue, Suite A, Greenville, NC 27834, 877-625-6886 press #5. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Wilmington Regional Office & Claim Center: 123 North Cardinal Drive Extension, Suite 140, Wilmington, NC 28405, 877-625-6886 press #6. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://nclottery.com/.

When are the North Carolina Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
Pick 3, 4: 3:00 p.m. and 11:22 p.m. daily.
Cash 5: 11:22 p.m. daily.
Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Carolina Connect editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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