Drake Powell Turns Heads at Nets Practice with Vicious Dunk - and a Message
If you’re looking for a spark in Brooklyn, Drake Powell might just be the match.
The 20-year-old rookie lit up the Nets’ practice facility this week with a jaw-dropping dunk that had teammates out of their seats and the internet buzzing. In a moment that reminded everyone why he’s one of the most intriguing young players on this Nets roster, Powell sliced through the defense during a scrimmage, cut hard to his right past the white stripe, elevated with authority, and threw down a two-handed slam that echoed through the gym.
The reaction? Instant chaos.
Players erupted in unison, some shouting “*And-1! *” as Powell hung on the rim with a smile, soaking in the moment.
It wasn’t just a dunk - it was a statement. A flash of athleticism and confidence that had been bubbling just beneath the surface all season.
Even on social media, the buzz was immediate. Music producer and basketball scout Trey Brown summed it up in one word: “Sheesh.”
Another fan playfully debated whether the more disrespectful part of the play was Powell shaking Noah Clowney or dunking over Nic Claxton. Either way, it wasn’t a great look for the defenders.
One Nets fan even took it a step further, calling for Powell - along with fellow rookie Danny Wolf - to see more minutes the rest of the season, regardless of how it shakes up the starting five.
And here’s the thing: Powell’s not just showing out in practice. He’s been quietly carving out a role in Brooklyn’s rotation.
Through 18 games, he’s averaging 18.5 minutes, 6.3 points, and 2.1 assists per night - solid numbers for a rookie still finding his NBA footing. He’s also shooting 37.8% from deep, a promising sign for a team that values floor spacing.
His best outing so far? That came in the Nets’ dominant 127-82 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, where Powell was one of nine players to hit double figures. He dropped 13 points off the bench in a performance that showed he’s capable of contributing when it counts.
Still, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Powell recently received some tough love from head coach Jordi Fernandez - the kind of constructive criticism that can either rattle a young player or push them to grow. Powell took it the right way.
“It was obviously some of the things that I've heard before with my player development coach and even when I was younger going through AAU,” Powell said. “I respect him [Fernandez] from that because it just shows that he cares not only about me as a basketball player, but also as a human being. Yeah, that was big for me.”
That kind of maturity, paired with moments like the one he delivered in practice, is exactly what you want to see from a rookie trying to earn his stripes in the league. Powell’s not just listening - he’s learning, adjusting, and now, making noise.
With the Nets gearing up to face the Miami Heat on Thursday, Powell’s highlight-reel dunk serves as a reminder: this kid’s got bounce, confidence, and maybe a little more to offer than we’ve seen so far.
Brooklyn fans are watching. And if Powell keeps flying like this, they’ll be asking for a whole lot more.