Report: Washington State transfer guard granted waiver by NCAA to play in 2022-23
When Justin Powell committed to Washington State, the expectation was the transfer guard would receive a waiver from the NCAA to make him immediately eligible to compete in the upcoming season.
According to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, that waiver came through on Monday. Powell will be able to suit up for the Cougars during the 2022-23 season. Powell spent his freshman season at Auburn (2020-21) before transferring to Tennessee last year. He hit the transfer portal again back in April.
Source: Washington State's Justin Powell has received a waiver from the NCAA and is eligible for the 22-23 season.
Powell is a two-time transfer who has previously played at both Tennessee and Auburn.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) August 8, 2022
The 6-foot-6 guard struggled to find consistent playing time at Tennessee, where he spent just shy of 13 months. He made appearances in 30 games while averaging 3.7 points and 1.5 rebounds in 14.1 minutes per game, though he earned only one start as the defined role just never materialized. He did shoot 38% from 3-point range but just 14-for-34 on all other shots.
Still, the long-range ability is there, and Powell had a fantastic start to his freshman season before entering concussion protocol and having his year cut short. For the Tigers, he played in 10 games while earning seven starts as a true freshman. After pouring in a combined 52 points across two games in mid-December, he was named SEC Freshman of the Week. In wins over South Alabama and Memphis, he scored 26 points in back-to-back games. Against the Jaguars in his first collegiate start, he drilled seven triples.
For the year, Powell averaged 11.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists a game while shooting 43% from the field, 44% from 3, and 77% from the free throw line.
“Justin is a great addition to our program,” WSU head coach Kyle Smith said in a release announcing his addition earlier this summer. “He is a proven player at a very high level. His size in the backcourt and his ability to make plays for himself and others should help us improve offensively. More importantly, playing and contributing for a top-10 program with NCAA experience will add incredible value to our team.”
Early prediction on Washington State's 22-23 starting five:
Justin Powell, TJ Bamba, Andrej Jakimovski, Dishon Jackson, Mouhamed Gueye https://t.co/WjSd6W4QL3
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) August 8, 2022