2024 Commit Jonathan Powell Speaks on Quick Flip to WVU

Just in a couple of days, 2024 top-125 prospect Jonathan Powell requested out of his National Letter of Intent with Xavier before committing to West Virginia on Monday morning.

For Powell, a 6-foot-6 guard out of Ohio, it was a business decision to flip to WVU.

“The main thing that went into requesting out of my NLI at Xavier was mainly just I want a good opportunity to be able to play and compete,” Powell told WV Sports Now. “With that being said, it was a business decision I’d rather not speak too much on, just happy to be a MOUNTAINEER!”

WVU associate HC Chester Frazier had a previous relationship with Powell, recruiting him starting in 2022. Powell unofficially visited Illinois before committing to Sean Miller and Xavier. When Powell requested his NLI release, Frazier was the first to reach out to his former recruit.

“It just felt like it was meant to be and that’s what helped me also with my decision is someone like him keeping it real with me and my family, and being supportive no matter what,” Powell said.

Jonathan Powell with WVU associate HC Chester Frazier

Powell visited West Virginia over the weekend, making his reopened recruitment go by fast. Powell was not recruited by Bob Huggins or Josh Eilert’s staff so it was his first time visiting campus and being familiar with the program.

“Some things I learned about West Virginia is the whole town of Morgantown supports basketball huge and are great fans. We owe them a good basketball team this year to give them something to cheer about,” Powell said.

“Coach [Darian] DeVries is a great coach. He loves to win, he’s very supportive and is open to ideas and suggestions as well. We connected right away because he’s very selective in who he chooses to be a part of what he’s building and for him to see something in me is big,” he added.

Powell comes from Centerville High School, just south of Dayton. In 29 games, Powell averaged 19.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.3 steals during his senior season. Powell shot 45% from the field and 39% from three as he led the Elks to a second-place finish in the state of Ohio.

Powell is more than ready to make that transition to college basketball.

“WVU fans should know that I’m very enthusiastic, and love the sport of basketball. I have the ability to make others around me good as well as me learning from others,” he said. “First thing I’m going to work on right away is just being able to adapt to new players and the speed of the game.”

Powell is the highest-ranked high school recruit WVU has secured since Isaiah Cottrell in 2020 and is the first Ohio recruit since Josiah Harris in 2022. With West Virginia adding Powell, the Mountaineers now have four scholarship spots available for the 2024-25 season.