There is no concern regarding Myles Powell’s health. There is no doubt whether the Seton Hall star will make his long-awaited return home Friday night. There is again no question what he is expected to do.
After missing two weeks and two games with his first-ever concussion, Powell unexpectedly returned for Monday night’s Big East-opener and led the Pirates to a 74-66 win at DePaul. The preseason All-American scored 27 points (hitting 7 of 15 from the field and 11 of 15 free throws) with five rebounds and five steals in the Pirates’ double-digit comeback.
On Friday (9 p.m., FS1), the senior will play at Prudential Center for the first time since Nov. 23, when Seton Hall (9-4, 1-0 Big East) plays host to Georgetown (10-4, 0-1).
“It just made me cherish [the season] more because everything can be taken from you so fast,” Powell said of the injury. “I feel like the season’s gone by so fast. I had time to sit down and take in everything that’s gone on and just be thankful for everything that I have.”
Powell had barely practiced before playing Monday. He still hasn’t resumed lifting weights yet and admitted his “body still feels a little weak.”
After twice hitting his head during the Dec. 14 game at Rutgers, Powell frighteningly asked coach Kevin Willard why the team was practicing at their in-state rival.
“I don’t remember the game,” Powell said Thursday. “I watched a little bit of it, but it was kind of messing me up because I didn’t really remember it.”
The following two weeks were largely spent in the dark. No TV. No video games. Limited phone use.
Exceptions were made, like Seton Hall’s stunning Dec. 19 win over No. 7 Maryland.
“I lost it that day. I was so happy that my guys were able to come up with a big win,” Powell said. “That was my first time watching us on TV. It was crazy. Now, I really see what the fans feel. My palms are sweating, I’m jumping through the roof, I’m trying to tell them what I do.
“It was different. It was a good experience, but I wouldn’t want to do it again.”
History remains ahead.
Powell is five points from becoming the seventh-leading scorer in school history. He is 23 3-pointers from becoming Seton Hall’s all-time leader. He is less than three months from potentially bringing the school to a record fifth straight NCAA Tournament.
Everything still looks as he envisioned.
“When you take something away from somebody that they love doing for a brief amount of time, it affects them, but [my teammates] did a great job of helping me keep my head up,” Powell said. “I love this group of guys. It feels good to be back out there with my brothers.”
