Men's Basketball Welcomes Leon Powell

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball head coach Evan Bradds announced Friday the signing of Leon Powell to play basketball for the Bruins, starting with summer 2027 enrollment.
 
"We are thrilled to welcome Leon to Belmont," Bradds said. "His ability to impact the game from the wing position is significant. He can score at all three levels, create for others, is an instant-impact defender, and has a knack for making winning plays. Leon comes from a tremendous family and community, with a rich history in the game of basketball. Given his talent and genuine love for the game, the sky is the limit for Leon."
 
Powell averaged 13.6 points per game on 59 percent shooting as a junior for Vashon High School. The 6-5 guard led Vashon to a 22-5 record and a district championship.
 
He was also part of consecutive Missouri state championships teams in 2024 and 2025.
 
Given his meteoric rise, Powell was identified as a top player in the state of Missouri by ESPN, and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. His is currently the No. 40 ranked shooting guard nationally by 247Sports.
 
Among career honors, Powell was named 2026 Missouri Class 4A All-State and Most Valuable Player of the RLHoops Iverson Showcase Camp in Kansas City.
 
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Powell competed for AAU Southwestern Illinois Jets.
 
Powell's father, Leon, Sr., was a decorated high school player in his own right for Vashon High School, before leading Indian Hills CC to a No. 2 national ranking, and later posting nearly 1,000 points and 500 rebounds in two seasons at Southeast Missouri.

Belmont University men's basketball has been a postseason fixture for the last two decades, including nine berths to the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins have won 21 conference championships since 2006 - third-most nationally over that span (behind Gonzaga and Kansas). Belmont has won 20 or more games in 16 consecutive seasons (alongside Gonzaga and Kansas) and 19 or more games in 21 consecutive seasons (alongside Gonzaga, Kansas, and San Diego State). Belmont is among select programs with two or more first-round selections in the NBA Draft over the last six years (Ben Sheppard, Dylan Windler). Belmont University men's basketball boasts an NCAA-leading 20 Academic All-America selections since 2001 and is the only NCAA Division I program to make the NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) Honor Roll every year of its existence. Belmont is the only NCAA Division I institution in America whose men's and women's basketball programs have won 20 or more games in 11 consecutive seasons.
 
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