Meet the WVU Basketball Team: Freshman Guard Jonathan Powell Offers Spark Off Bench

Freshman Jonathan Powell has been nothing short of impressive to begin his young WVU basketball career. The lanky guard has been one of the top pieces off the bench for Darian DeVries’ Mountaineers, averaging 21 minutes per game.

Powell, alongside freshman partner KJ Tenner, are providing the instant offense that DeVries wants off the bench.  Powell is shooting 44% from the floor and 38% from deep, averaging 10.5PPG through his first two appearances in the WVU uniform.

Powell is a native of Dayton, Ohio, playing his high school ball at Centerville High School. 24/7 sports composite ranking had Powell had a 4-star, and being a top 150 player in the country. But, WVU was late to the process in getting Powell to Morgantown.

Xavier was in on the recruiting process early, offering Powell in 2022. Powell chose the Musketeers over schools like Illinois, Texas A&M, Alabama, Ohio State, and others. Powell then decommitted from Xavier in May of this year, and many speculated that WVU would be the front runner for the talented guard.

How, though?  WVU was not in on the recruiting process when Powell was in high school. Chester Frazier was the coach who offered Powell when he was at Illinois, and ended up being the lead recruiter for Powell in getting him to Morgantown. Only three days after Powell left Xavier, he committed to the Mountaineers.

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

Coach DeVries has not necessarily been surprised by the Powell has been playing either, “He’s playing really confident right now… he has the green light at anytime.”

Getting that nod to have the greenlight as a true freshman alone says a lot about the player and teammate Powell has been throughout their summer practices and trip, and early season games.

“I love both of those freshman coming in right now, playing with great confidence… in both games have given us a great boost off the bench” DeVries said of Powell and Tenner.

WVSN photo/Kelsie LeRose

The duo of Powell and Tenner have been some of the many bright spots for this rebranded WVU squad, and not only gives hope for the rest of the season, but for the foreseeable future.

The Mountaineers will head to the Petersen Event Center this Friday Nov., 15th. Tip-off is slated for 8 P.M. on ESPN+. It will be the first edition of the Backyard Brawl for Coach DeVries.

For a related story, meet former Mr. Basketball in Tennessee, KJ Tenner.