Story by
Why Norman Powell Could Be The Perfect Mentor For Bulls' Rookie Guard
- Story by
- Why Norman Powell Could Be The Perfect Mentor For Bulls' Rookie Guard
Join the free online community today at BullsRoundtable.com for more daily coverage of the six-time NBA champions.
The Chicago Bulls wrapped up their 2026 Summer League run on Friday with a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers . Aside from the obvious breakout summer from fourth overall pick Caleb Wilson , the Bulls' best player in Vegas was Jaylin Sellers , an undrafted free agent out of Providence. The shooting guard averaged 15.6 points on 39% shooting from the field. While that number might not look great, Sellers did shoot 65% from two. He only shot 23% from three, which really hurt his efficiency numbers.
Advertisement
Beyond the scoring, Sellers' mentality is what really stood out during his Summer League minutes. Sellers set the tone for this Bulls squad as best he could. He took pride in picking up opposing ball handlers full court and making them work for every inch. He attacked offensively with relentless aggression, never giving up regardless of the score.
Sellers has the physical tools and mentality to be a valuable NBA player one day, he just needs some help getting there. That's where Norman Powell comes in.
Mar 11, 2026; New York, NY, USA; Providence Friars guard Jaylin Sellers (2) drives against Butler Bulldogs forward Michael Ajayi (5) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Bryson Graham and company signed Norman Powell to a two-year, $45 million contract this offseason after his 2025 All-Star campaign with the Heat . Powell enters an extremely young Bulls locker room as the unquestionable veteran leader in the clubhouse. His on-court performance is not the only thing that makes him a great candidate for that role, but his path to stardom should also be looked at.
Advertisement
Norman Powell played his college ball at UCLA where he wouldn't break out until his senior year in 2014. After earning First Team All-Pac-12 honors, he would declare for the draft where the Milwaukee Bucks would select him 46th overall and trade his draft rights to the Toronto Raptors for Greivis Vasquez . Powell's career would start slowly, as he would spend a good chunk of his rookie season in the G League for Toronto's affiliate squad.
While he would occasionally get opportunities at the NBA level due to injuries to Terrence Ross and DeMarre Carroll , it wasn't until his second year in the league where he really started to get real opportunities. Powell earned his time on the court through defense and transition scoring, which were two things the Raptors valued during the DeRozan and Lowry era. Powell would prove the Raptors' faith in him right once again in a breakout performance in the first round of the playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks where he would score 25 points, leading Toronto to a big win. The following season, the Raptors rewarded Powell with a four-year, $42 million contract.
Norman Powell would continue to prove his value, upping his game every year and eventually becoming a Sixth Man of the Year candidate with the Los Angeles Clippers and most recently an All-Star in Miami .
Now, Powell has the opportunity to help Jaylin Sellers follow a similar path.
Advertisement
Like Powell, Sellers is a shooting guard who had to work his way into the spotlight rather than entering the NBA as a highly touted lottery pick. Like Powell, Sellers has shown that his defense and relentless attacking mentality can give him a chance to earn opportunities at the NBA level. Both players also had to prove themselves before becoming established stars, with Powell spending time in the G League early in his career and Sellers now beginning his professional career as an undrafted free agent on a two-way contract.
The similarities don't end there. Powell's career was built on the same type of mentality Sellers displayed throughout Summer League. He had to earn every opportunity, defend, play with energy and take advantage of his chances when they came. Sellers showed that same mentality in Vegas, constantly pressuring opposing ball handlers and attacking the basket with a level of aggression that stood out.
Feb 26, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Miami Heat guard Norman Powell (24) drives in front of Philadelphia 76ers forward Dominick Barlow (25) during the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Of course, Sellers still has plenty of work to do. His three-point shooting and ball handling will need to improve if he wants to become a consistent rotational player in the NBA. However, Powell is the perfect player to help him navigate that process.
Advertisement
Powell knows what it's like to be an overlooked guard trying to prove he belongs. He knows what it takes to go from an under-the-radar college player to a second-round pick, a G League player, a rotation piece and eventually an All-Star. Sellers now has the chance to learn from someone who has already walked the exact type of path he is beginning.
If Sellers can continue to develop his offensive game while maintaining the defensive intensity and relentless mentality he showed in Las Vegas, Powell could be the perfect mentor to help him reach his potential. The Bulls' newest veteran star has already shown what can happen when an overlooked guard refuses to stop working. Now, he can help Sellers do the same.
