Indiana in Top Six For Four-Star Guard Jonathan Powell, Gabe Cupps' Teammate
Jonathan Powell announced his top six schools on Tuesday.
Powell, a 6-foot-6 shooting guard in the class of 2024, will decide between Indiana, Michigan State, Xavier, Ohio State, Clemson and Virginia Tech. He is considered a four-star recruit, ranked No. 98 overall and No. 18 among shooting guards, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Powell spent his junior season at Centerville High School outside of Dayton, Ohio, where he played alongside Indiana's class of 2023 commit Gabe Cupps. With Cupps running the point and Powell at shooting guard, Centerville reached the Ohio Division I state semifinals.
Powell led Centerville in scoring at 16.7 points per game, along with 3.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 steals. He shot 49.4 percent overall, 70.5 percent from the free throw line and 40.7 percent from 3-point range on a team-high 214 attempts.
After watching Centerville defeat Springboro on Jan. 3, HoosiersNow.com interviewed Cupps for our "Next Generation" profile series. During our conversation, Cupps discussed the possibility of teaming up with Powell at Indiana.
"We've talked a little bit about it," Cupps told HoosiersNow.com in January. "I just want him to make the best decision for himself, and I think it would be really cool to play with him in college. He's a great player and he can really shoot it, so any college that gets him is going to be happy with him."
Brook Cupps, Centerville's head basketball coach and Gabe's father, shared his thoughts on what has made Powell a sought-after recruit.
"JP is an explosive scorer with the athleticism to create opportunities in transition, impact the game on the boards and defend on the perimeter," Brook told HoosiersNow.com on Tuesday. "His ability to knock down shots from long range, contested or uncontested, is elite."
Brandon Jenkins of 247Sports recently talked with Powell at the Adidas 3SSB AAU circuit in Bryan, Tex. about his recruitment.
“Mike Woodson and his staff came from the NBA," Powell said. "He basically knows how to get guys to the NBA. They are a basketball school so who would not want to play there? Their history there is unmatched.”
Indiana currently does not have any commits in the class of 2024. Cupps and four-star guard Jakai Newton complete coach Mike Woodson's 2023 recruiting class.
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