...basketball camps,” Powell said. “We’ve created testimony cards, sort of like basketball cards with pictures of me and Bible verses on them. We want to start a prayer network around Illinois and get these cards to churches and youth groups so that kids can get them and give them to others. I play basketball to give glory to God and embrace every opportunity I get to minister to children.”
That foundation started with his parents, Cherry and Roger Sr., the latter who was inducted into the ISU Hall of Fame in 1998 after being a four-time letter winner from 1973-76 and three-year starter.
Their son has lived a charmed basketball life, but he’s earned it. Powell received all-state recognition his final two years as a prep star, played in the Wendy’s All-Star Classic and Illinois Basketball Coaches Association all-star games, and made the USA Basketball Youth Development Festival North team. He also played American Athletic Union competition and was invited to Nike camps twice.
That exposure and his immense talents had such big-time schools as Michigan State, Iowa, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Arizona and Stanford among his suitors. However, Powell chose to stay as close to home as possible, and that wasn’t a bad decision either as he earned six rings for helping the Illini win the Big Ten regular-season and/or postseason tournament titles.
Still, Powell is keeping things in proper perspective.
“I got to do a lot of traveling and things in high school and had a great time at Illinois, and last year was incredible,” Powell said. “I’m just thankful for that experience and the opportunity of playing in the Big Ten. And [the] year in the CBA has been a blessing. We’ve had a lot of success and it’s been great being in the Rockford area. But I believe that an NBA team will give me an opportunity soon, and I’m not giving up on that dream until I achieve it.”
His reward came this summer, with an invite to the Utah camp that eventually led to his current roster spot with the Jazz. In a game whose players are far too wrapped up in their own personal image and endorsements, Powell represents a refreshing departure to old school basketball and living. He has taken the gifts of his father, blended them with a mission dedicated to the Father, and found the road to Glory Ball.
<<BACK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | NEXT>>
