In a somewhat surprising move, the Sixers made a bottom-of roster change by adding Myles Powell to their second two-way slot. This spot was originally reserved for Grant Riller, but the former College of Charleston guard has had an injury-riddled season and is expected to undergo shoulder surgery which will keep him out for 4-6 months. Given the lengthy timeframe and increased Covid concerns amongst the league, the Sixers elected to add another healthy body and are giving the opportunity to Myles Powell.
Who is Myles Powell?
Coming out of New Jersey, Myles Powell spent his first two years of high school at Medford Tech before transferring to Trenton Catholic and then South Kent School. His standout performances here led to him getting an opportunity at Seton Hall where he put together an accomplished four-year career.
Powell came off the bench for most of his freshman year but still managed an impressive 10.7 points per game. The 6’2 guard made a massive jump his sophomore where he improved his scoring average to 15.5 points per game. He also was named to Big East All-Academic Team and named the conference’s Most Improved Player.
During his junior and senior years of college, Myles Powell truly became a force to be reckoned with. He averaged 23.1 and 21.0 points per game and became one of the biggest fan-favorites in Seton Hall basketball history. During his accomplished career, he became the fifth player in school history to score over 2000 points, was named the Big East Player of the Year, won the Haggerty Award twice, and became the first consensus first-team All-American to come out of Seton Hall since 1953. Powell went undrafted in the 2020 draft and has primarily played for the Knicks G-League affiliate since this time.
What Powell Brings to the Sixers:
The biggest thing you need to know about Myles Powell is he can flat-out score the basketball. He is a high-volume shooter who excels at creating his own shot and is especially impressive shooting off motion or coming around screens. The New Jersey native also has an impressive handle and uses his gravity as a shooter to open up the rest of his game. Powell is no stranger to the big moment and has a knack for producing during crunch time.
On the negative side of things, Powell lacks in his ability as a passer and is a little undersized for his playstyle. The 6’2 guard never averaged more than 2.9 assists during his time in college and while there have been some signs of growth he still has a ways to go. At times he can also struggle defensively and his lack of explosion often forces him to rely on runners and floaters when attempting to finish around the basket.
Regardless if it works out, it is awesome to see a local kid get an opportunity with the Sixers organization. There is also certainly a need for Powell’s skillset on the current Sixers and Delaware Blue Coats roster. Given the latest Covid outbreaks that have left just about the entire NBA shorthanded, depth has become increasingly important to each roster. Myles Powell will be a player to watch out for on the roster as the Sixers continue to power through this grueling season so prepare to give him a warm welcome to Philadelphia.
Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire
