Dwight Harlan Powell (born July 20, 1991) is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Stanford Cardinal and is a member of the Canadian national team.
Powell was born in Toronto, Ontario to a white Canadian father and Jamaican mother.[1] He then moved to the U.S and attended IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. As a senior, he averaged 23.2 points, 11.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.3 blocks per game.[2]
Considered a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Powell was listed as the No. 8 power forward and the No. 25 player in the nation in 2010.[3]
As a freshman at Stanford University in 2010–11, Powell earned Pac-10 All-Freshman Team honours. He started in 26 of 31 games, averaging 8.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.[2]
As a sophomore in 2011–12, the Cardinal won the NIT championship, and Powell earned Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention selection. He started in 11 of 35 games, logging an average of 5.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.[2]
As a junior in 2012–13, Powell earned second-team NABC All-District, first-team All-Pac-12, and Pac-12 All-Academic second-team honours. He was also named the Pac-12 Most Improved Player of the Year. Powell started in all 34 games, averaging 14.9 points to go with 8.4 rebounds per game.[2]
As a senior in 2013–14, Powell earned first-team All-Pac-12 honours for the second straight year and was named to the NCAA All-South Regional Team. He was also named the Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year and a Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention selection. Powell started in all 36 games, putting up an average of 14.0 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.[2]
On June 26, 2014, Powell was selected with the 45th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets.[4] On July 12, Powell's rights were traded, along with Brendan Haywood, to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Scotty Hopson and cash considerations.[5] He then joined the Cavaliers for the NBA Summer League and signed with them on August 23.[6] On September 25, he was traded, along with John Lucas III, Erik Murphy, Malcolm Thomas and the Cavaliers' 2016 and 2017 second-round picks, to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Keith Bogans and two future second-round picks.[7] During his time with the Celtics, he was assigned multiple times to the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League.[8]
On December 18, 2014, Powell was traded, along with Rajon Rondo, to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Jae Crowder, Jameer Nelson, Brandan Wright, a 2015 first-round pick and a 2016 second-round pick.[9] On January 14, 2015, he scored a season-high 11 points on 5-for-7 shooting in a loss to the Denver Nuggets.[10] He was assigned multiple times to the Texas Legends during his rookie season.[8]
In July 2015, Powell joined the Mavericks for the 2015 NBA Summer League. On November 3, 2015, he recorded his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds in a loss to the Toronto Raptors.[11] Four days later, he recorded a then career-high 15 points and 7 rebounds in a 107–98 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.[12] He tied his career high of 15 points on January 17, 2016, in a loss to the San Antonio Spurs.[13] On March 28, 2016, Powell made his first NBA start and scored a career-high 16 points in a 97–88 win over the Denver Nuggets.[14]
On July 8, 2016, Powell re-signed with the Mavericks.[15] On December 3, 2016, he set a new career high with 17 points in a 107–82 win over the Chicago Bulls.[16] On April 9, 2017, he scored 21 points against the Phoenix Suns.[17]
On January 3, 2018, Powell tied his career high with 21 points in a 125–122 loss to the Golden State Warriors.[18] On February 28, 2018, he again tied his career high with 21 points in a 111–110 overtime loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.[19]
On March 6, 2019, Powell set a career high with 26 points in a 132–123 loss to the Washington Wizards.[20] On April 3, 2019, he scored 25 points in a 110–108 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.[21]
After exercising his option for the 2019–20 season, he signed a contract extension with the Mavericks on July 6, 2019.[22]
On December 4, 2019, Powell set a season-high 24 points while recording five rebounds, four assists, one steal and two blocks in a 121–114 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He had a perfect shooting night, going 9 of 9 from the field and 2 of 2 from the three-point line. Once the fourth quarter started, Powell experienced a left arm injury and got ruled out of the game.[23]
On January 21, 2020, in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Powell suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury while attempting to drive to the basket.[24][25]
Powell was one of only 4 other players in the NBA to play all 82 games in a season in the 2021–22 NBA season, as well as breaking the Mavericks franchise record for most consecutive field goals made with 18 in a stretch of 4 games.[26][27]
On July 9, 2023, Powell re-signed with the Mavericks.[28] Powell reached the 2024 NBA Finals where the Mavericks lost to the Boston Celtics in five games.[29]
On May 24, 2022, Powell agreed to a three-year commitment to play with the Canadian senior men's national team.[30] He was named to Canada's roster for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.[31]
