A predecessor of Maurtice Ivy and Anna DeForge as one of the most talented swing players in Nebraska history, Debra Powell brought tremendous scoring and rebounding ability to the court for the Huskers.
The 5-9 forward/guard from Lincoln High School in East St. Louis, Ill., ranks ninth all time at Nebraska in points (1,843) and rebounds (750). Powell was also a strong defensive player with 231 career steals to rank fourth all time at Nebraska.
Powell was the first Husker in history to earn All-Big Eight accolades by claiming first-team honors after the 1983-84 season. She added second-team all-conference honors in 1984-85.
One of the most prolific players in Nebraska history at getting to the free throw line, Powell ranks second with 644 free throws attempted during her career, while connecting on 407 attempts to rank sixth on the Huskers' all-time charts.
Powell produced a career-high 34 points on three occasions, including a 98-88 double-overtime win at Notre Dame on Feb. 25, 1982, a 102-89 win at Pepperdine on Jan. 11, 1984, and an 82-56 win over Morningside at the Devaney Center on Dec. 11, 1982.
Along with her accomplishments on the hardwood, Powell also displayed her athleticism as an All-America sprinter for the Nebraska track and field team. At the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 1984, Powell joined Rhonda Blanford, Jennie Gorham Badami and Angela Thacker on the Huskers' 4x100-meter relay team that finished fifth. She was also a three-time Big Eight Conference champion, first as a member of the Huskers' sprint medley squad with Debra James, Blanford and Merlene Ottey, before winning titles in the 4x100 relay in both 1983 and 1984. In 1983, Powell teamed with Blanford, Thacker and Ottey to win the 4x100 crown. Powell lettered in outdoor track in 1982, 1983 and 1984.
Powell became the first female mayor of East St. Louis, Ill., in 1999 and served as the city's mayor until 2003.
Powell's Career Statistics
|
Year |
G-GS |
FG-FGA |
Pct. |
3P-3PA |
Pct. |
FT-FTA |
Pct. |
TRB-Avg. |
Pts-Avg. |
| 1981-82 |
30-23 |
175-390 |
.448 |
NA |
NA |
111-193 |
.575 |
229-7.6 |
461-15.4 |
| 1982-83 |
28-26 |
198-381 |
.519 |
NA |
NA |
98-156 |
.628 |
156-5.6 |
494-17.6 |
| 1983-84 |
27-27 |
205-422 |
.485 |
NA |
NA |
83-125 |
.664 |
171-6.3 |
493-18.3 |
| 1984-85 | 26-24 | 140-310 | .451 | NA | NA | 115-170 | .676 | 194-7.5 | 395-15.2 |
|
Career |
111-100 |
718-1, 503 |
.477 |
NA |
NA |
407-644 |
.631 |
750-6.8 |
1, 843-16.6 |