Recruiting Report: Garett Powell (2019)
Just one weekend ago, 6’7” forward Garett Powell (2019) was one of the state’s best kept secrets. The versatile big from Springboro was strictly being recruited by Division III programs, although his talent appeared worthy of a basketball scholarship.
Now as we wind down the Live Period, Powell is jumping on D-II and NAIA radars, even pulling in an offer from Florida College on Friday.
“After the Louisville tournament, I actually came in contact with the St. Francis coach … the low-major Division I in Pennsylvania,” Powell said. “University of Northwestern Ohio reached out to me as well after the Louisville tournament. Then my D-IIIs are Capitol, Otterbein … Wabash.”
When we spoke to Powell on Thursday night, Florida College had just talked to him for the first time. Although the NAIA program is a far way from Springboro, relocating to the Sunshine State isn’t out of the question at all.
“Florida College just talked to me about coming down to see the campus after the tournament is over,” Powell said. “If it’s some place with all the things I’m looking for and I enjoy being there, I’d go probably just about anywhere.”
Powell, who was in Orlando finishing up his season with Apex Basketball Club this weekend, explained what it is he’s looking for in a college.
“I just want to go some place that I think is going to be the right fit. I want to go some place where I think I’ll play and I’ll compete and where I’ll get better as a player.”
“I don’t want to go some place where I think I’m going to be limited in what I can do or I’m going to be sitting two or three years before I get playing time. I’m trying to go some place where I can help the team right away,” Powell said.
Powell’s potential contributions at the college level are predicated on both size and skill. The broad 6’7” athlete can put it on the floor, hit triples at a near-40-percent clip, rebound, and score inside with power. We’d best describe him as a “face-up four,” but Powell is simply versatile on the offensive end.
With Florida College taking the leap as the first program to offer, it’ll be interesting to see how his relationship with St. Francis (PA) and UNOH develops over the ensuing months.
“UNOH was talking about them coming down and watching me in some open gyms and everything, maybe going up and seeing the campus,” Powell said. “The St. Francis coach has been talking to me about my academics.”
Powell carries a 2.6 GPA and scored a 25 on the ACT. As he tackles the recruitment trail throughout the coming months, Powell is also looking to get stronger and work on his jumper and ball-handling.