Even without the NCAA Tournament, Myles Powell made history in March.
The Associated Press announced Friday that Seton Hall’s star senior was named to its All-America First Team, becoming the first Pirate since 1953 (Walter Dukes) to earn the honor. Powell previously was named Seton Hall’s first Big East Player of the Year since 1993 (Terry Dehere) while leading the Pirates (21-9, 13-5 Big East) to a share of their first regular-season championship in 27 years.
Powell, who also joins Bob Davies (1942) as one of three First Team All-Americans in school history, is Seton Hall’s first All-American selection since Dehere was named to the Second Team in 1993.
“This is truly a blessing,” Powell said. “When I came back for my senior year, the goals were to win a championship and become a first-team All-American, and to now achieve both is a dream come true.”
It is believed that Powell’s No. 13 jersey will eventually be retired by Seton Hall.
Despite suffering a concussion early in the season and battling tendinitis in his right knee, the 6-foot-2 Trenton native ranked second in the Big East with 21 points per game while also averaging 4.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.2 steals.
His leadership was just as valuable, consistently elevating the confidence and play of his supporting cast while shouldering the weight — Powell was featured on numerous billboards across New Jersey — of the most hyped Seton Hall season in a generation. He also was working toward becoming the first member of his family to graduate college.
Powell, who was set to take Seton Hall to a team-record fifth straight NCAA Tournament, finished his college career third in school history with 2,252 points and first in 3-pointers made (348). Powell’s 84 wins are tied for the sixth-most in Seton Hall history. He was nine wins from sharing the school’s all-time record for wins.
Three could have come in the Big East Tournament. Another six were available in the NCAA Tournament, where Seton Hall was attempting to make the Sweet 16 for the first time in 20 years and the Final Four for the first time since 1989.
Both tournaments were canceled due to the spread of coronavirus.
The second-best player from Seton Hall’s best team in almost three decades may also soon turn pro.
Sandro Mamukelashvili, the 6-foot-11 forward who ranked second on the team with 11.9 points and 6 rebounds per game, is declaring for the NBA Draft, but won’t hire an agent, giving him the option of returning to school for his senior season. Powell went through the draft process last year, too, before deciding to return to campus.