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Myles Powell signs two-way contract with the Bucks

Date: March 4, 2021

By: Jorie Mickens

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NBAE via Getty Images

Nearly one year ago on March 12, the first-seeded Creighton Bluejays and the ninth-seeded St. John’s Red Storm were in the midst of their quarterfinal matchup for the 2020 Big East Tournament. But during halftime, the Big East Conference cancelled the rest of the game and all the remaining games in the tournament to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus.

 

The third-seeded Seton Hall Pirates, more specifically senior guard Myles Powell, after one of the best seasons in program history, never got an opportunity to shine in the postseason. But things are looking up for the Trenton-native almost 365 days later. It was reported Wednesday that the Milwaukee Bucks intend to sign the former Seton Hall guard to a two-way contract.

The news comes one day after Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the NBA and the Players’ Association would loosen the restrictions of two-way contracts, eliminating the 50-game limit and making two-way players eligible for the NBA playoffs.

 

After going undrafted during the 2020 NBA Draft, Powell signed with the New York Knicks and appeared in one preseason game. The Knicks subsequently waived the 2020 Big East Player of the Year and Powell found his way to the Westchester Knicks, New York’s G League affiliate team.

 

In 13 games of the 2020-21 NBA G League regular season, Powell averaged 17.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists-per-game as Westchester went 6-7 in that span. The Bucks on the other hand have been one of the best teams in the NBA this season, with a current record of 21-14, good enough for third in the Eastern Conference.

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Michael Reaves/Getty Images

In terms of fit, there weren’t many better landing spots for Powell. Milwaukee is one of the best three-point shooting teams in the NBA, ranking fourth in three-point percentage and eighth in attempts-per-game. Powell’s prowess as an outside shooter (44.8% from three on 6.4 attempts per game in the G League) should mesh well with the Bucks. Not only that, while Milwaukee’s defense has dropped off slightly this year, their defensive rating of 111.0 still ranks 12th in the NBA. Playing alongside plus-defenders such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday should help cover up Powell’s limitations on that end.

 

That said, it’s hard to imagine Powell seeing a lot of playing time this season. Bucks’ head coach Mike Budenholzer is playing a shorter rotation than in years past and Milwaukee’s two other two-way contract players Jaylen Adams and Mamadi Diakite have played a combined 18 minutes this season. But regardless, the accomplishment should be celebrated, and Powell could get his first taste of NBA action sometime this season.

Jorie Mickens is an Assistant Sports Director for WSOU Sports, and can be reached at jorie.mickens@student.shu.edu.

Posted in: Men's Basketball, Sports

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