Powell gets second chance at making NBA roster

While playing basketball all over the world, Carlos Powell hasn’t given up on his dream to make it to the NBA.

And now Powell has another shot to do it as the former Wilson and South Carolina standout is in training camp with the Phoenix Suns, who begin their preseason schedule tonight against a team from Belgrade.

Powell played for the Suns’ summer league team this year and was one of three free agents brought in before training camp.

“I think overall this is the right fit for me and I’m happy to be here,” Powell said by phone while training with the Suns over the weekend in San Diego.

Powell’s driving ability and high energy on offense and defense could help the Suns, who boast all-stars Steve Nash and Amare Stoudamire but missed the playoffs last season.

“It’s amazing to play with these guys,” Powell said. “It makes my job easier. I just want to bring the energy, get that extra rebound and do all the garbage things.”

This isn’t Powell’s first chance to make it in the NBA. He played for Golden State’s summer league team in 2007 and was in training camp before he was released.

Then Powell, who also has played in New Zealand, Portugal and the Ukraine, thought staying in the United States would benefit him most. The Dakota Wizards made him the second pick of the NBA’s D-League draft.

Powell was a D-League all-star, averaging 22.5 points and 6.4 rebounds a game. But low salary and no interest from NBA teams forced Powell to pack his bags again.

The 26-year-old swingman played last season in South Korea for Inchon ET Land Black Slamer. He averaged a team-high 25.6 points a game, grabbed 6.2 rebounds and shot 58.2 percent from the field in helping Inchon reach the postseason for the first time.

“It was a great experience,” Powell said. “I loved being over there. I was treated really well and it was great to experience a new culture.”

Powell enjoyed the perks of playing overseas, earning close to $100,000 while also being provided a car and lodging. The negatives, Powell says, were being away from his daughter, and his mom and sisters not being able to see him play on TV.

Still, Powell says its all apart of the process and points to guys like Miami’s Jamario Moon and Golden State’s Steven Jackson, who toiled in various minor leagues before catching on in the NBA.

“It’s a struggle but I don’t want it come to easy,” Powell said. “But being away from my daughter builds up the hunger to fulfill my dream. Every day I go out there and leave it all on the line. That’s all you
can do.“

And if the stint with the Suns doesn’t work, will he think about doing something else?

“No way,” he said. “I’m not even close to being done. I will be 45 and be playing if someone going to pay me. I’m going to do my best to play the game of basketball for as long as I can.“

Note
Two of the Suns’ preseason games will be on national TV. Saturday’s game against the Pacers will be on TNT (Time Warner channel 17) at 6:30 p.m. The Oct. 18 game in Mexico against Philadelphia will be shown on NBA TV (Time Warner channel 158).