Once thought of to be the future of HBCU basketball, Duncan Powell is now transitioning to the ACC.
The former North Carolina A&T forward is headed to Georgia Tech after spending one season at Sacramento State. He announced his commitment on Friday night.
Rated a four-star prospect by ESPN, Powell initially committed to Arkansas as a sophomore, but de-commited in early 2020. Old Dominion, Dayton and the University of Texas-San Antonio were the other schools in his top five, along with Hampton. He ultimately selected North Carolina A&T, and enrolled in fall 2021.
The 6’8 forward averaged eight points per game during the 2022-2023 season – his first basketball season since his junior year at DeSoto HS in 2019-2020. Knee injuries kept him out of his senior season of high school and he made just one brief appearance as a freshman at NC A&T, recording one foul.
Powell eased his way back in, scoring double-figures for the first time in his 12th game. He scored double figures nine times, including a 20-point performance against College of Charleston.
Powell hit the transfer portal following the season, landing at Sacramento State. He was the Hornets’ leading scorer (12.1 ppg) and rebounder (7.0 rpg), playing in 29 games and starting 23. He missed the final five games with injury, but finished sixth in the Big Sky in rebounding. Powell also averaged 2.0 assists and 26.5 minutes while shooting 49% (130-264) from the field and 69% (76-111) from the free throw line.
Taking advantage of new rules that allow yearly transfers, Powell hit the portal once again and committed to Louisiana in April. He decommitted a month later, and is now headed to the ACC program.