University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Powell Helps Propel Toronto Raptors to NBA Finals
May 26, 2019 | Men's Basketball
Former UCLA guard Norman Powell has helped guide the Toronto Raptors to their first-ever appearance in the NBA Finals.
Powell, who excelled for the Bruins from 2011-15 before graduating in June of 2015, is currently in his fourth season in the NBA – all with the Toronto Raptors. The 6-foot-4 guard from San Diego has averaged 8.2 points and 2.6 rebounds through the postseason (17 games, averaging 17.6 minutes per contest).
Powell finished with nine points and four rebounds in Toronto's series-clinching victory in Game 6 on Saturday evening. A first-team All-Pac-12 selection as a senior at UCLA (2015), Powell finished the NBA's regular-season having registered 8.6 points and 2.3. rebounds per game (60 games).
When the best-of-seven NBA Finals series begins in Toronto on Thursday evening, Powell and the Raptors will be squaring off against the Golden State Warriors. Powell teamed with Golden State forward Kevon Looney during UCLA's 2014-15 season – Powell was a senior and Looney was a freshman.
This will mark the fourth consecutive year, in which UCLA has had at least one player on the roster of each team competing in the NBA Finals. Last season, Looney helped Golden State win its second consecutive NBA championship, going up against the Cleveland Cavs and former UCLA center Kevin Love. With both Powell and Looney advancing to the best-of-seven series, UCLA will have had former players competing in the NBA Finals 60 times.
During their lone season as UCLA teammates, Powell and Looney led the Bruins' 2014-15 squad to a 22-14 overall record and an 11-7 mark in Pac-12 action. The Bruins defeated No. 6-seed SMU and No. 14-seed UAB to advance to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 and a matchup versus No. 2-seed Gonzaga in Houston.
Toronto and Golden State begin the NBA Finals this Thursday (May 30) in Toronto at Scotiabank Arena. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m. PT (9 p.m. ET).
