North Carolina Welcomes Former West Virginia Guard Johnathan Powell to the Roster
North Carolina has gained Johnathan Powell. He played guard at West Virginia. Powell is now a Tar Heel. The team secured him from the NCAA transfer portal. Joe Tipton from On3 made the news. Powell is 6-foot-6 and a freshman. He will now show his skills at Chapel Hill.
Powell had a strong season at West Virginia. He averaged 8.3 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. He led all freshmen in the Big 12 with 64 made three-point shots. His quick, accurate shooting is key. Last season, the Tar Heels had a hard time from the perimeter. They ranked 193rd in three-point attempts while hitting 35.6% from deep. North Carolina looks to improve that.
Powell ended his time at West Virginia on a high note. He scored 10 points against Utah on the road. Then, he scored 15 points against UCF in Morgantown. In these two games, he made 7 of his 13 three-point tries. His performance showed that he can shoot well under pressure.
Powell comes from Dayton, Ohio. He was a three-star prospect. On3 ranked him the No. 137 overall recruit in the 2024 class. Four major recruiting services helped make that ranking. West Virginia helped him grow, and now North Carolina will build on that work.
These moves come as the Tar Heels try to rebound from a rough 2024 season. The team was a surprise in the NCAA Tournament but was eliminated in the first round by Ole Miss. Head coach Hubert Davis feels the pressure to lead his team better. The addition of Powell shows that the program is serious about improving.
North Carolina is also welcoming a strong recruiting class. The class includes five-star prospect Caleb Wilson. The team is set to grow with talented players. Powell is the first of many new commitments this offseason. This fresh start promises a new future for the storied program.
