Matt Powers
@DraftPow
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NBA draft • Editor/Co-Founder @swishtheory • Former contributor @thestepien [email protected]
New York, NY
Joined March 2021
This is my favorite column every year, where I go deep on my evaluatory framework. It was a fun cycle.
NBA draft projection is far from a perfect science, with endless ways to evaluate a prospect. @DraftPow reflects on his process with his annual column: Lessons from a Draft Cycle. Check it out below! ⤵️
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One of the best in the country at putting the ball in the hoop. 17.7 ppg last season on 63% TS, 3/4th self-created. Very good at carving out just enough space in a way where he should scale up. The same indicated by a 3.0 A:TO last year.
Bruce Thornton with a career-high performance tonight 🔥 38 PTS | 14-17 FG | 5-8 3PT | 5 AST | 5 REB | 36 MIN
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New Celtics film round-up is live for @celticsblog. Discussed Josh Minott, transition defense, and the Most Dangerous Game. Link below
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Cool early trend: LaMelo Ball's hustle stats are at the peak of his career, slowly recovered from a significant dip in his first two seasons. In particular, he has increased his importance as a screener, though all stats are above the NBA median:
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What does a defender getting picked on truly look like? The Boston Celtics put on a textbook example of picking on a bad defender last night, targeting Keyonte George relentlessly in a variety of actions. I'll break them down from the simplest to the most complex.
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With college hoops tipping off last night I wanted to thread some thoughts on the best prospect game of the day, Koa Peat's performance versus the reigning national champs. Takeaways from Peat's performance and what it could mean for the rest of the season 👇🧵
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I have my skepticism over the benefits of electoral politics but within that system, Zohran's campaign is showing how far a hopeful campaign based on basic dignity and joyful celebration of humanity can take you (especially when done by a charming quick witted person)
"Without the night shift, there is no morning." Late Thursday night, I canvassed the taxi line at LaGuardia — and caught up with some old friends from @NYTWA.
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Last year of being the league’s best outlet passer
Age has not dampened Kevin Love's absurd outlet passing ability
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Pull-up release looking much more fluid, a nice benefit to having as much on-ball time as he has had. Great sign tonight for Koa’s Arizona usage, this won’t be his last dominant performance
#Arizona SF/PF Koa Peat (6-8, 235, FR) Absolute dominant performance from Peat in his collegiate debut. Impact on both ends of the floor — strong blend of face-up, interior & off-the-dribble scoring. Active on the glass + defense today (3 STL). 30 PTS, 7 REB & 5 AST vs Florida.
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New content over at @SwishTheory! Words on my NBA draft model's favorite sleepers in college hoops, lead by Spanish sensation Alvaro Folgueiras. https://t.co/seVPwFRXLv
theswishtheory.com
(header image by Thilo Latrell Widder) The draft model All-American team is comprised of the highest-rated NCAA players at each position according to my DMX model who are not currently listed on mock...
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I get like 80% of my ideas from Avi, be sure to follow if you don’t:
to commemorate the start of college basketball, this is my informal, risk-seeking 2026 preseason draft board. i have also conducted a brief writeup justifying my ranking of the top 14 players. please see the link below. looking forward to a diversity of opinions and questions.
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Welcome to the college basketball season! In case you missed it over the weekend: - @thebigwafe unveiled his model’s top prospects unranked by major mocks: https://t.co/8ETkq7nwKi - @bgeis_bird presents the case for a Tyrone Riley IV breakout season for San Francisco:
theswishtheory.com
(header image by Thilo Latrell Widder) The draft model All-American team is comprised of the highest-rated NCAA players at each position according to my DMX model who are not currently listed on mock...
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Some players I’m high on, relative to consensus: Hannes Steinbach, Elyjah Freeman, Paul McNeil, Dailyn Swain, Aday Mara, Adrian Wooley, Alvaro Folgueiras, Nate Bittle
Before the NCAA season gets started, I compiled 25+ Preseason 2026 NBA Draft Big Boards (including my own) to create a Preseason Consensus Board! What stands out the most? *This is not my board*
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Tyrone Riley IV flashed real potential as a freshman two-way wing at San Francisco. I dug into his numbers + film to scout the sophomore southpaw for @SwishTheory — is he poised for a breakout season?
theswishtheory.com
Tyrone Riley IV is a legacy player at the University of San Francisco, following in the footsteps of his father, who played there from 2003-05. After an offseason that included invitations to Team...
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Welcome @Tlo_L_W to the team as a new graphic designer! Check out @thebigwafe’s best players currently underrated by mocks. Past picks include Braden Smith in 2023 and Yaxel Lendeborg in 2024.
Swish Theory debut! @thebigwafe presents his draft model's All-Americans for the 2025-26 season. Get acquainted with some of the country's most underrated draft prospects before tomorrow's tipoff ⤵️
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Oregon State’s Josiah Lake: ultra-low usage as a sophomore but still worth second round looks. - Really shoots it - 89% FT, 38% 3PT, 52% deep 2s - Good athlete in some ways (FTR, steals) but needs craft to make up for poor 1-ft leaping - 19 assists to 5 TOs in six games vs. T50
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Tyrone Riley IV showed real flashes as a freshman at San Francisco. @bgeis_bird breaks down the tape and the numbers in anticipating a sophomore leap for the 6'6'' wing. On why Riley has 3&D potential, and maybe more ⤵️
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Brian does great work, with a balanced assessment here of an interesting player.
Tyrone Riley IV showed real flashes as a freshman at San Francisco. @bgeis_bird breaks down the tape and the numbers in anticipating a sophomore leap for the 6'6'' wing. On why Riley has 3&D potential, and maybe more ⤵️
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the 2026 cbb season will be the most talent laden in history, by far. much is by virtue of an influx of european talent the following 3 players from germany's top pro league (bbl) will play college basketball next year do not be surprised if their monstrous production continues
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HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! For Hallow's Eve I am posting my 2026 NBA DRAFT Preseason Board. I have been honing my ability to analyze pre-ncaa stats, which I believe can tell us the full picture of a prospect, combined with NCAA sample. Feel free to leave any questions or concerns!
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excited to be doing a NBA Draft preview Q&A with @slipthescreen and @SheedinATL tomorrow, drop any questions you would like us to discuss in the replies below 👇 can be related to individual prospects, our philosophies, sleepers, anything you can think of!!
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