BREAKING NEWS: UNC basketball standout Drake Powell announced he departure to NBA while also retaining his college eligibility, it came as a major disappointment for Tar Heels. Powell has one big foot out the door, while still giving people some hope he’ll return.

Powell appears to be halfway out the door, yet there’s still a glimmer of hope among fans that he might come back.

But with his invitation to the NBA Draft Combine, the chances of a return to Chapel Hill seem to be fading fast. Making matters more difficult for UNC fans is the growing belief among some analysts that Powell could now be a first-round pick.

While several recent mock drafts project him as a second-round selection, others see things differently. Notably, CBS Sports’ Kyle Boone has Powell going 18th overall to the Washington Wizards in his latest mock draft—a notable rise.

In Boone’s words: “Powell’s decision to officially enter the NBA Draft added strong depth to this year’s class. He’s a versatile wing defender with elite tools, shaping up as a 3-and-D type with plenty of upside.”

Washington also holds the No. 2 pick, and Boone projects them selecting Rutgers star Dylan Harper there. If they follow that up by taking a swing on Powell at No. 18, it could make for a big night for the Wizards.

During his freshman year under Hubert Davis at UNC, the 6-foot-6, 195-pound Powell averaged 7.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. He came in as a five-star recruit in 2024, ranked as the No. 2 small forward in the country by 247Sports Composite.

Powell’s decision to declare for the draft was tough news for Tar Heel fans, and that disappointment deepened this week when Andrej Stojakovic chose Illinois over UNC.

Even if Powell becomes a mid-first-round selection, many in Chapel Hill will be proud of him—though they still quietly hope he might reconsider and return for another season. At this point, though, that scenario seems increasingly unlikely.