Education
Damon began to get noticed his sophomore year in high school, but it wasn"t until the following year that he would be a household name. Powell averaged monstrous numbers his junior year, 16 points, 8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 1.5 steals, and led his team to a perfect record (32-0) and a Division I State Championship against Dominguez Hills (notable alumni: Tyson Chandler, Cedric Ceballos and Brandon Jennings).
In between his junior and senior years, Damon was invited to participate in the National Basketball Association Players Association Top 100 camp. Other players invited were Brandon Knight, Jordan Hamilton, Jared Sullinger, Harrison Barnes & Tristan Thompson.
Five awards were given out..Powell won the "Mr.
Hustle" Award.
Powell"s Senior year of high school was a success again. This year, his team was ranked #5 in California, and #35 in the nation, with Powell averaging 13 points, 9 rebounds, 1 block and 2 steals per game.
Unfortunately, McClymonds was beat in the State Championship game by Westchester, who was ranked the #1 Division I team in the nation.
Damon received multiple offers to Division I programs, including University of Kentucky, Kansas University, Oregon State, Fresno State, and many others Due to an error with his high school transcripts, Damon was not able to get through the National Collegiate Athletic Association clearinghouse in time to begin school.
By the time the issue was resolved, Damon had already enrolled in Los Medanos Fresno State had still extended its offer to Powell, but he chose to remain at Los Medanos.
During the basketball team"s first tournament, Powell was honored with first team all-tournament honors, leading the way for his team into the Championship game.
Despite a very successful season at Los Medanos, Powell decided that school was not for him and decided to attempt the professional game.
