Skyforce Selects Powell First
September 16, 2003 - Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1) News Release
Boise, ID (September 16, 2003) — With the first pick in the 18th Annual Continental Basketball Association College Draft, the Sioux Falls Skyforce selected forward Josh Powell (6-9, 225) from North Carolina State University. Powell was an early entry candidate for the draft, coming out of college after playing two seasons with the Wolfpack.
“We were looking for a player that can come in and make an immediate impact with our team, and I think that Josh can do that,” stated Skyforce Head Coach Trevor Gleeson, who begins his first full season at the helm of the team. “I saw him play for Dallas in the NBA Pro Summer League in Los Angeles and I thought he really stood out. I also liked his versatility. He can play both forward positions, and his work ethic is high.”
During the NBA summer league in Los Angeles, Powell averaged 10.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per contest for the Mavericks in five games played.
“It is a testament to Josh that he has drawn this kind of interest from both the NBA and now the CBA,” stated Powell’s attorney and agent Jason Levien. “It is a real feather in his cap that the Sioux Falls Skyforce thinks so highly of him that they made him the number one pick.”
“I feel like this a good opportunity for him and it is something he should not take for granted. Sioux Falls has a real tradition of getting players to the NBA, and they are known for their fans getting behind the team and known for how their fans take to basketball. So he is really excited about it.”
As a sophomore last season, Powell received NC StateÂ’s Tom Gugliotta Award, given to the teamÂ’s Most Improved Player. He ranked seventh in the ACC in blocks (1.3 per game), 20th in scoring (12.4 points per game) and 18th in rebounding (5.3 rebounds per game). He was a First Team All-ACC Tournament selection, averaging 20.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in three games, and scored a career-high 26 points in the ACC Championship game against Duke.
The Charleston, South Carolina, native was named to the ACC All-Rookie Team in 2001-02 as a freshman after leading the Wolfpack in blocks (30) and field goal percentage (52.8%). He also received the teamÂ’s Scholar-Athlete Award and was named to the ACC Honor Roll after posting a 3.45 grade-point average.
The oldest professional basketball league in the world tips off its 58th season on Friday, November 14, when PowellÂ’s Sioux Falls Skyforce travels to Bismarck, N.D. to battle the Dakota Wizards.
• Discuss this story on the Continental Basketball Association 1 message board...
Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from September 16, 2003
- CBA Completes 2003 Draft - CBA 1
- Skyforce Selects Powell First - CBA 1
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
