Jonathan Powell Delivers Breakout Performance in Tar Heels’ Win Over USC-Upstate
CHAPEL HILL - Saturday afternoon at the Smith Center felt like a coming-out party for Jonathan Powell. In North Carolina’s 80-62 win over USC-Upstate, the sophomore transfer showed exactly why the Tar Heels were excited to bring him in from West Virginia. Powell poured in 17 points off the bench - his highest-scoring outing yet in Carolina blue - and made it clear he’s more than just a shooter.
Powell knocked down 6 of his 9 shots from the field, including 3-of-6 from deep, and added a pair of free throws. That scoring total matched his career high, which he hit twice last season for the Mountaineers - once against NC Central and again in a Big 12 win over Oklahoma State.
But this one felt different. This wasn’t just about points - it was about timing, rhythm, and impact.
“Obviously, he made shots, but they were timely shots,” UNC head coach Hubert Davis said postgame. “It was an eight-point game in the second half, and he hit a three in the corner to push it to double digits.
That was a big moment. And from there, we kept control.”
Powell’s 17 points marked the most by a Tar Heel non-starter this season, edging out Derek Dixon’s 14-point effort against Georgetown the week before. But Powell’s value goes beyond the box score. Davis praised his physicality on defense and his competitive edge - two traits that have quietly earned him more minutes in recent weeks.
“He’s a physical defender, very competitive, and he’s got a real passion to be part of this team and this program,” Davis said. “I was really happy for him today.”
Powell’s Progression
Powell’s role has steadily grown as the season’s gone on. He’s made at least one three-pointer in eight of Carolina’s ten games this year, and Saturday marked the fourth time he’s hit multiple threes in a game.
But what stood out against Upstate was his versatility. Half of his six made field goals came from inside the arc - a subtle but important shift for a player who had made 10 of his first 12 field goals from beyond the line.
Over the last four games, Powell has logged 82 minutes - averaging 7.8 points while shooting 11-for-24 from the floor and 7-for-17 from deep. He’s also grabbed 12 rebounds, dished out two assists, and chipped in with a block and three steals. It’s not just that he’s scoring - he’s contributing in multiple ways.
And defensively? He’s holding his own.
Powell graded out well on that end last year at West Virginia, and while his current defensive grade sits at a B-minus (per EvenMiya.com), that still places him in the 76th percentile nationally. His ability to defend on the perimeter is helping him carve out a role in a deep Carolina rotation.
Powell’s Perspective
After the game, Powell spoke with the kind of quiet confidence that mirrors his on-court demeanor. He knows the work he’s put in - and he’s starting to see it pay off.
“I know the work I put in every day - after practice, before practice, late at night,” he said. “So really, it’s about coming in with the same mindset and confidence each game and staying ready to go out there and play my game. I’m going to do whatever it takes to help my team win.”
It hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Like any transfer, Powell needed time to adjust - to the system, the pace, the expectations. But he trusted the process.
“It’s a long season,” he said. “So I just take it practice by practice, game by game.
Just staying ready for when the opportunity comes. And I think tonight was a great chance for me to come in and show what I can do.”
That turning point? Powell pointed to Fort Myers - the site of the Tar Heels’ early-season tournament - as the moment when things started to click.
Playing with Edge and Confidence
Powell brings a certain edge to the floor - and it’s not just about energy. It’s about intent. Whether it’s diving on the floor, locking in defensively, or pulling up with confidence, he plays like someone who knows exactly who he is.
“I love this sport,” he said. “Every time I come on the court, I want to play with edge, play with energy.
That’s what keeps that fire under me. If my team starts out slow or it’s one of those games, I want to be one of those guys who brings everybody up and gets our energy going.”
And when he gets the ball? There’s no hesitation.
“All I need is a little bit of room,” Powell said. “My teammates and coaches believe in me, trust me to shoot the ball. So if I’ve got a little bit of space, I’m letting it go.”
That quick release? It’s no accident.
It’s something he works on constantly - with defenders in his face, with managers simulating closeouts, with repetition and muscle memory. He’s not just practicing open shots - he’s preparing for game-speed, contested looks.
Defense as a Calling Card
While the scoring grabs headlines, Powell knows what really earns him minutes: defense.
“We’ve got a lot of guys who can score,” he said. “But I think what helps me earn minutes - and earn Coach Davis’ trust - is being able to keep my man in front of me and really compete on the defensive end.”
For a team with championship aspirations, having someone like Powell - a player who can stretch the floor, defend multiple positions, and bring energy off the bench - is a luxury. But for Powell, it’s just about doing the work and staying ready.
Saturday was his breakout. But if his trajectory continues, it won’t be the last time we see Jonathan Powell’s name in bold.