Powell To Charlotte In SecondPowell To Charlotte In Second
Men's Basketball

Powell To Charlotte In Second

STANFORD, Calif.- Senior Dwight Powell was selected by the Charlotte Hornets in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft on Thursday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Powell, who was the 15th pick of the round and 45th overall, joins teammate Josh Huestis, who was taken 29th overall in the first round by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Following the draft, Powell was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers along with Brendan Haywood in exchange for Alonzo Gee. A native of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Powell becomes the sixth player in school history to be chosen in the second round, joining Landry Fields (2010, New York Knicks), Jarron Collins (2001, Utah Jazz), Tim Young (1999, Golden State Warriors), Kimberly Belton (1980, Phoenix Suns) and Arthur Harris (1968, Seattle Supersonics).

The 31st NBA Draft choice in program history, Powell joins Fields and Huestis as Cardinal draft picks during head coach Johnny Dawkins’ six-year tenure.

Stanford has now totaled 11 NBA Draft selections since 2000.

It’s the first time two Stanford players have been chosen in a draft since 2008, when Brook Lopez (No. 10, New Jersey Nets) and Robin Lopez (No. 15, Phoenix Suns) heard their names called.

The school record holder for games played (136), Powell wrapped up his four-year career averaging 10.8 points and 6.3 rebounds while shooting 46.4 percent overall. A dynamic all-around player, Powell concluded his time on The Farm also ranking seventh in blocks (118), ninth in steals (125) and 18th in assists (240).

A two-time All-Pac-12 First Team honoree, Powell averaged at least 14.0 points in each of his final two seasons while starting every game. After being named an NABC All-District Second Team selection and Pac-12 Most Improved Player of the Year as a junior, Powell was recognized as a Preseason Wooden Award candidate entering his final season.

Leading Stanford to its fifth NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearance in school history following upset of New Mexico and Kansas, Powell averaged 14.0 points and 6.9 rebounds while shooting 46.2 percent overall as a senior. Embracing the role of an athletic 6-10 “point forward”, Powell dished out a team-best 112 assists (3.1 per game) and led the club with 47 steals while notching seven double-doubles.

As a junior, Powell was the only Pac-12 player ranked among the league's top-10 in both scoring and rebounding, averaging a team-best 14.9 points while ranking second on the squad with 8.4 rebounds per game and reaching double figures in 27 contests. Powell became one of three Stanford players over the last decade to register at least 10 double-doubles, joining Fields (13 in 2009-10) and Matt Haryasz (10 in 2005-06).

During his sophomore year in 2011, Powell averaged 5.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. Powell was a key contributor during Stanford’s NIT championship run, averaging 8.8 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 65.4 percent from the field.

He earned a spot on the Pac-10 All-Freshman Team in 2010, starting 26 of 31 games played and averaging 8.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game while scoring in double figures 11 times.

Equally accomplished off the court, Powell is a three-time Pac-12 All-Academic honoree and this season’s recipient of the Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year award.

Powell, who earned his degree in Science, Technology & Society while boasting a 3.05 cumulative GPA, was one of 30 candidates for this year’s Senior CLASS Award, honoring notable achievements in areas of community, classroom, character and competition.

Joining Huestis as team captain, Powell was also the recipient of the athletic department’s Bill Walsh Leadership Award, selected by fellow student-athletes and given to the Stanford student-athlete who inspires his/her team and the community through exemplary commitment, service, composure and integrity.

Determined to earn his degree and fulfill a promise to his late mother, Jacqueline, who lost a battle with cancer in September 2012, Powell decided to return for his senior year despite an opportunity to begin his professional career early. Powell displayed increased maturity as a senior, helping his teammates achieve a stated goal of making the NCAA Tournament. Powell’s community service activities included work with Boys & Girls Club, Read for America, Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital and Reading Rainbow East Palo Alto event.