The first year and a half of sophomore point guard Pookie Powell’s tenure in Memphis has been drama filled with no on-court action.
Now, Powell is ready to prove that he can be a fan favorite while with the Memphis Tigers.
The Tigers were almost without the point guard this season. Powell, an Orlando, Florida, native, made the decision to transfer in the spring, but was dissuaded by coach Josh Pastner and his staff.
“Coach Pastner talked to me a lot,” Powell said. “There was a lot of tension, but we were able to stick it out.”
The presence of four senior guards that the Tigers relied on heavily last season and a questionable academic situation led to Powell not practicing or playing a season ago.
“I learned that basketball can get taken away from me,” Powell said. “I took it for granted and I can’t do that again.”
This did not stop Powell from learning from the senior laden team. It was important for Powell to come away with something last year since he lacked any on court experience at the Division 1 level.
“I learned from watching them what it takes to win and compete every night at a high level,” Powell said.
After missing last season, Powell remains somewhat of a mystery. Tiger fans have become accustomed to a steady backcourt headed up by Joe Jackson, but, now, only uncertainty sits in the Tigers’ backcourt.
“I would compare myself to nobody,” Powell said. “I just go out and play basketball the best I can.”
Powell was thought to be a shoe-in for the starting point guard position this season. He even started games at the position during the Tigers’ trip to Canada. However, at the end of the summer, the U of M added transfer point guard Kedren Johnson from Vanderbilt.
Johnson is an experienced point guard with size and a 3-point shooting stroke, which the Tigers desperately need. He will most likely get the start over the inexperienced Powell and add a veteran presence to the young squad.
Powell said, even though he would like to play, he trusts Pastner to make the right call when it comes to who starts at point guard between him and Johnson.
“He’s a good player that I love playing with,” Powell said. “Coach Pastner will make decisions about that stuff closer to the season.”
The Tigers were a team plagued with chemistry issues last season. The four senior guards isolated themselves from the rest of the team that needed guidance.
“They (the four senior guards) never really talked to me, they were too busy playing ball,” Powell said.
This season, the Tigers seem to have solved the chemistry issue that has reared its ugly head over the years. Junior forward Shaq Goodwin and sophomore forward Austin Nichols have taken on more leadership responsibilities this year, and the team appears to be thriving.
“Everything is going good now,” Powell said. “We started a little slow, but we are getting closer on the offensive and defensive end.”
The Tigers are approaching the start of the season and Powell’s role is clear. This will be one of the more interesting seasons under Pastner and Powell will be right in the middle of the action.
“I just want to go out and compete and help my team win,” Powell said.
