$378M NIL Power Trigger Major Chaos for Hubert Davis as CBS Sports Analyst Drops Bold Claim Over UNC Star’s NBA Draft Decision

One of the programs hit hardest by the transfer portal this year is the North Carolina Tar Heels. The six-time national champions have lost their top scorers. That means a rebuild from the ground up and the possibility that no player who started the last ten games will be on the roster. It is a tough situation for Coach Hubert Davis, who will be aiming to make it past the first-round exit they faced this past season. But there is another piece of troublesome news for the program.

Freshman guard Drake Powell announced he’s entering the NBA draft. That’s another big blow for the Heels. The former 5-star recruit, who made waves at Pittsboro’s Northwood High, played a pivotal role in helping his team make a late push to secure a spot in the March Madness last season. He started 24 games as a freshman, averaging 7.4 points and 3.4 rebounds, and looked poised to take a crucial role next season. But for the young talent, “competing at the highest level has always been the ultimate goal,” as per his own admission.

“This decision was nowhere near easy, but with the support and guidance of my family and coaches, I will be entering my name into the 2025 NBA Draft,” he confessed, but can we really blame him? The player witnessed his stock climb as some mock drafts had him as a first-round potential. However, Adam Finkelstein of CBS thinks Powell might still return for another year of college basketball, which could be a glimmer of hope for UNC. But regardless of his decision, this adds more challenges for the Tar Heels. Why, you may ask? In CBS Sports College Basketball on YouTube, Finkelstein went into detail about Powell’s decision to enter the draft.

“What I thought was interesting was the timing, declaring the day after the portal ends, not putting his name in the portal, because we’ve seen that pattern pretty consistently, even like Boogie Fland at the last minute put his name in the portal, because what it allows you to do is it keeps your options open from a negotiation standpoint. So Drake Powell now saying, ‘Okay I’m 100% focused on the draft,’ that to me does not guarantee that he’s done with college basketball. I’ve heard a lot of guys say they’re focused on it and then end up coming back to play college basketball.

“And that was before the money in college was arguably better than the NBA. I don’t know that Drake Powell is a locked first round pick and there are spots even in the late first round where the money in college is presumably better than in the NBA right now. If you’re not a locked first round pick, if there’s a scenario where you end up on a two-way deal and you’re making 600,000, the money is definitely better in college. So it’s interesting to me because that money from North Carolina that’s on the table isn’t going to be there forever because they’ve got to go get a wing,” Finkelstein opined, and so he noted that the player might return to North Carolina if the deal isn’t worth it. He isn’t wrong here. At UNC, the money is even better. As per reports, the program is among the top basketball teams spending $10 million on NIL contracts for the off-season.

Last year, RJ Davis enjoyed a whopping $2 million. Having lost him, Elliot Cadeau, Ian Jackson, and a few more key names to the portal this season, there’s space for others to swoop in for that sum. Going by the analyst’s words, that is way more than what a late-round pick or one with a two-way contract in the NBA can make. In the 2024/25 season, the latter pays a player $578,577. Given that Powell is a projected late first-round pick or early second-round pick, there’s a chance he might return to college.

With all the resources at hand, and being estimated as the most valuable program in the nation with $378 million, pressure is on Hubert Davis to deliver a well-rounded team. Powell’s uncertainty isn’t going to make it easier for him, because the head coach needs to act fast. And he is already on the recruiting trail, trying to fill the gaps left behind!

Top Comment by anonymous

UNC didn’t lose 7 of 8 top scorers to the portal…4 to transfer portal, 3 to graduation, and 1 to...more

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Hubert Davis and co make big transfer portal moves!

The Tar Heels faced major departures this season after losing six players to the portal: Jae’Lyn Withers, Ven-Allen Lubin, Cade Tyson, Ian Jackson, Jalen Washington, and Elliot Cadeau. A big blow for Hubert Davis. However, the HC has been quietly working behind the scenes. A couple of new players are coming in, along with Caleb Wilson.

Transfers Kyan Evans from Colorado State and Jonathan Powell from West Virginia have been brought in to replace Elliot Cadeau and Ian Jackson. Davis wasn’t done yet. He landed one of the best in the portal, Henri Veesaar from Arizona. Then, Alabama transfer Jarin Stevenson also joined the program.

While Veesaar has a well-rounded offensive game and can offer rim protection, Stevenson brings in versatility on the defensive end.  Sure, it might not be the ideal wing if Powell leaves, but it’s still a solid addition. Big changes are unfolding in Chapel Hill.

The status of Drake Powell is the final puzzle piece for Hubert Davis. What the freshman decides could shape the team’s future. But no matter what, Davis knows the work isn’t over. A program like UNC shouldn’t be bowing out in the first round of the tournament. Davis is aware of the stakes, and so, he will need to craft a roster that lives up to those high expectations. The pressure is on, and he’s not backing down.