By Jerel Marshall
The Atlanta Hawks have officially announced the signing of, Atlanta native, forward/center Josh Powell. Powell has agreed to a one-year $1.1 million contract.
“I look forward to joining a franchise I’m very familiar with,” Powell said in a news release. “The Hawks have done some great things over the past few years, and I think it’s great to come back home and play here.
The 6-foot-9, 240 pound Powell might prove to a useful addition as a backup for forward Josh Smith and All-star center, Al Horford. While playing just 9.2 minutes per game last season, Powell averaged 2.7 points and 1.8 rebounds.
Although he won two championships in Los Angeles, Powell will take advantage of something the Lakers could never offer him: more playing time.
Powell spent his prep days at Riverdale High School located just outside of Atlanta. He averaged 22.7 points and 13 rebounds per game and broke nine school records before heading up to NC State.
After going undrafted in the 2003 NBA Draft Powell moved to Europe to sharpen his skills.
A brief stay in the NBA D-league led to Powell being called up by the Dallas Mavericks during the 2005-2006 season. The journeyman spent the following season in Indiana before moving out to California.
Powell played for the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers before earning a pair of rings in a Lakers uniform.
As a Laker, Powell sported the number 21 but will have to pick a new one as the Hawks have retired the digits in honor of a player Powell said he enjoyed watching when he was younger.
“Obviously, I followed the Hawks quite a bit growing up, and the excitement during the Dominique (Wilkins) years was a great thing to watch.”