Drake Powell Finding His Footing in Brooklyn, One Defensive Stop at a Time
In a season where the Brooklyn Nets are still searching for consistency, rookie forward Drake Powell is quietly carving out a role - and earning the trust of head coach Jordi Fernandez in the process. The 20-year-old may not be lighting up the stat sheet just yet, but his growth on both ends of the floor is becoming harder to ignore.
Powell, the 22nd pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, came to Brooklyn as part of a trade package that also brought in veteran forward Terance Mann. While Mann brings experience and stability, Powell represents something different: potential. And Fernandez is clearly invested in unlocking it.
That investment was on full display last week. After playing just three minutes in a loss to the Mavericks - a result of what Fernandez called a lack of “readiness to play” - Powell bounced back with a strong showing in Brooklyn’s blowout win over the Milwaukee Bucks. That kind of response is exactly what coaches want to see from a young player trying to make his mark in the league.
Powell didn’t shy away from the criticism. In fact, he embraced it.
“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’s a mature take from a rookie still adjusting to the speed and physicality of the NBA. And while the numbers - 6.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game on 48.8% shooting - don’t jump off the page, they’re solid for a player still finding his rhythm in a new system. His 37.8% clip from three is especially encouraging, hinting at a developing offensive game that could stretch the floor for Brooklyn in the long run.
But what’s really setting Powell apart right now is his defense. Even as a rookie, he’s shown flashes of being a reliable on-ball defender - a rare trait for a player so early in his career.
“It just goes back to watching film and digesting it with the team,” Powell said. “As well as individually with my player development coach. I think that if I continue to do that, I think [my game] will continue to expand as well.”
That kind of work ethic - studying film, staying coachable, and responding to challenges - is exactly what Brooklyn needs as it tries to build a winning culture. Fernandez has been clear about wanting more from his young players, and Powell is showing he’s willing to put in the work.
Brooklyn’s season has had its share of ups and downs, but Powell’s development is one of the more promising storylines to keep an eye on. He’s not just getting minutes - he’s earning them. And if he keeps trending upward, he could be a key piece of the Nets’ long-term puzzle.
Next up for Powell and the Nets: a Thursday night matchup at Barclays Center against the Miami Heat. Another chance for the rookie to prove he’s ready - and to keep building on a foundation that’s starting to look pretty solid.