P&T Q&A with Myles Powell, part 2

Myles Powell made an impact in his rookie season with the Westchester Knicks as a penetrating guard who could score in a variety of ways. He has crafty moves where he can score at the rim and has a score-first mentality. He showed he could be a playmaker, especially in his three starts with Westchester. The rookie guard averaged 17.7 points, 3.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals on 44.6 percent from beyond the arc.

On March 3, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported that Milwaukee Bucks were signing Myles Powell to a two-way contract. He became the second Westchester Knick during the 2020-21 season, along with Justin Patton, to earn an NBA call-up and 13th Dub Knick in franchise history to earn a promotion to the NBA.

Here’s part two of the interview with Myles Powell.

Catch up with part 1 of the Q&A

Note: The interview was done prior to Myles Powell signing a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Chris Priczak: Speaking of being a role model, especially to those kids in New Jersey. Five years ago, you’re ranked as the number 82 player in the ESPN rankings. Going from that to the way that you’re playing in the G League bubble where some people saying that you could end up with an NBA call up. How do you feel that your story can inspire those young kids in New Jersey?

Myles Powell: “I feel like it can inspire a lot. I’m a kid from Trenton, New Jersey, that wound up I had over 21 Division offers. I picked Seton Hall that was 15 minutes from home. I stayed home and I did it at home. I was the first person in my family to graduate. That has nothing to do with basketball. Then on a basketball end; just pretty much winning every award that I can possibly win in my senior year. Big East Player of the Year. Jerry West Award. First-team All-American. Then like I said, just keeping the ball rolling. Not getting too high and not too low. Try to stay even keel. This is a marathon, not a sprint. I know there’s kids back home that’s looking up to me. I’m a role model. No matter what obstacle gets thrown my way, I just keep pushing.”

CP: A lot of the players, you included, before the season started haven’t really played since early last year. How are you able to come out early in the season with so many productive games and be such a valuable player for this Westchester team?

MP: “Just being motivated. I feel like the time and the hard work that I put in the offseason. I feel like that helped me a lot. I have a great supporting cast. I have a great coaching staff. I have great teammates. They believe in me. They’re always trying to help me on the offensive and defensive end. We have a good group of guys that are always trying to pick you up and make sure you’re doing the right things. I feel like that goes a long way, so I’m just coming in every day with open ears trying to learn as a rookie.

I’m the only rookie on this Westchester Knicks team this year. This year is about a lot of learning and I accepted the fact that I have to learn. I’m not the youngest on the team in age, but this is my first year. Listening and open ears goes a long way.”

CP: When you entered the season, what aspects of your game were you looking to improve on?

MP: “Most importantly, the defensive end showing that I’m not a liability. Getting my teammates involved and just handling the ball at the one. I feel like everybody in the league got a glimpse of how well and how I can score the ball at Seton Hall. I just wanted to show organizations that I could run a team and I can play the one and get my teammates involved.”

CP: In the previous years, the Westchester Knicks have shown that players can come in and they could help them in their development and help prepare them for a professional career whether that be in the NBA or overseas. How do you feel that Westchester has those resources and they can put the players, you included, in the best position?

MP: “For the Knicks’ whole organization, it is a good organization to be around. I’m not sure if everybody knows, but most G League teams and NBA teams, they’re not connected. The good thing about the Knicks and the Westchester Knicks is everything is in the same building and we share the same facility, so you’re always around NBA guys. It’s a good feeling and makes you feel like you belong now.”

CP: When the season comes to an end, what will be a successful season in your mind?

MP: “Getting a call up or getting a two-way (contract). Something like that. I mean, of course I want to win that championship while I’m here with the Westchester Knicks in this bubble because I believe we have the team to do it. Just to keep coming in and getting better every day as a rookie and just being able to get a call up or two-way. I feel like that will make my rookie year a success.”