Damon Powell
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 24, 1990 |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Listed weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | McClymonds (Oakland, California) |
| College | Los Medanos College (2009–2010) |
| Playing career | 2010–present |
| Position | Small forward |
| Career history | |
| 2010–2011 | East Bay Pitbulls |
| 2011–2012 | CSS Giurgiu |
Damon Powell (born September 24, 1990) is an American basketball player who graduated from McClymonds High School and has been widely recognized as the best dunker in the 2009 class.[1] His high school, which produced NBA all-star Bill Russell, went 32–0 in his junior year and finished the year ranked the #1 high school in California, and the #3 team nationally.[2]
Damon began to get noticed his sophomore year in high school, but it wasn't until the following year that he would be a household name. Powell averaged monstrous numbers his junior year, 16 points, 8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 1.5 steals, and led his team to a perfect record (32–0) and a Division I State Championship against Dominguez Hills High School (notable alumni: Tyson Chandler, Cedric Ceballos and Brandon Jennings).
In between his junior and senior years, Damon was invited to participate in the NBA Players Association Top 100 camp.[3] Other players invited were Brandon Knight, Jordan Hamilton, Jared Sullinger, Harrison Barnes & Tristan Thompson. Five awards were given out...Powell won the "Mr. Hustle" Award.
Powell's Senior year of high school was a success again. This year, his team was ranked #5 in CA, and #35 in the nation, with Powell averaging 13 points, 9 rebounds, 1 block and 2 steals per game.[4] Unfortunately, McClymonds High School was beat in the State Championship game by Westchester High School, who was ranked the #1 Division I team in the nation.[5]
College
Damon received multiple offers to Division I programs, including University of Kentucky, University of Kansas, Oregon State University, Fresno State University, and many others.[6] Due to an error with his high school transcripts, Damon was not able to get through the NCAA clearinghouse in time to begin school. By the time the issue was resolved, Damon had already enrolled in Los Medanos College. Fresno State had still extended its offer to Powell, but he chose to remain at Los Medanos.
During the basketball team's first tournament, Powell was honored with first team all-tournament honors, leading the way for his team into the Championship game. Despite a very successful season at Los Medanos, Powell decided that school was not for him and decided to attempt the professional game.