Arkansas junior Marshawn Powell became the latest player to declare for the 2013 NBA Draft, announcing on Twitter that he would forego his final season of college eligibility. While Powell isn't currently projected as even a late first-round pick, his advanced age and injury-plagued career at Arkansas made his decision almost certain.
Marshawn Powell to declare for the 2013 NBA Draft
A junior forward from Arkansas, Powell is projected as a second-round pick, but he has the talent to move draft boards over the next few months.
As a 23-year-old who has already spent four seasons in college, Powell has little to gain by returning for one final season in Fayetteville. He also played only two games last season after tearing his MCL, so his basketball mortality has to be fresh on his mind.
A 6’7, 240 combo forward, Powell has an intriguing combination of size and skill and a good feel for the game. He averaged 14.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks on 49 percent shooting this season, helping lead an undermanned Razorbacks team to a 19-13 record.
Powell’s ability to stretch the floor (35 percent from deep) and put the ball on the ground will get him a look from NBA teams, but he’ll need to answer questions about his lack of a defensive position. Perhaps the biggest concern is the state of his knee, since as an undersized forward he’ll need to be quicker and more explosive than the players he’ll be matched up with at the next level.
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