Former Mountaineer to Face WVU in Next Backyard Brawl

Jonathan Powell announces transfer from North Carolina to Pitt for 2026-27 season

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:27pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action of a college basketball game, with sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape representing the intensity and drama of the Backyard Brawl rivalry.The upcoming Backyard Brawl matchup between West Virginia and Pitt will feature a familiar face on the opposing bench, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the storied rivalry.Chapel Hill Today

Former West Virginia guard Jonathan Powell has announced he will be transferring to Pitt for the 2026-27 season, setting up a matchup against his former team in the next installment of the Backyard Brawl rivalry. Powell left Morgantown a year ago and spent this past season at North Carolina, where his production and playing time declined significantly compared to his freshman year at WVU.

Why it matters

The Backyard Brawl is one of college basketball's fiercest rivalries, and Powell's transfer to Pitt will add an extra layer of intrigue to the next meeting between the two schools. As a former Mountaineer, Powell will be looking to prove himself against his old team, while WVU will be motivated to shut down a familiar face.

The details

During his freshman season at West Virginia, Powell started 23 games and averaged over 30 minutes per night. However, his production dropped sharply this past year at North Carolina, where he saw his playing time cut in half and posted just 4.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game. Powell's shot diet is heavily reliant on the three-pointer, with 74% of his attempts coming from behind the arc.

  • Powell left West Virginia a year ago and entered the transfer portal.
  • He spent the 2025-26 season at North Carolina.
  • On April 12, 2026, Powell announced he would be transferring to Pitt for the 2026-27 season.
  • The next Backyard Brawl between WVU and Pitt is scheduled for the 2026-27 season, with the game taking place in Pittsburgh.

The players

Jonathan Powell

A former guard for the West Virginia Mountaineers who is now transferring to the Pitt Panthers for the 2026-27 season after spending this past year at North Carolina.

Darian DeVries

Another former West Virginia player who transferred out of the program, leaving for Indiana.

James Okonkwo

A former Mountaineer who, like Powell, transferred to North Carolina but found the grass wasn't greener on the other side.

Abraham Oyeadier

The only current West Virginia player who was on the team when Powell was there, as the rest of his former teammates have since graduated or transferred.

Ross Hodge

The current West Virginia head coach, who was not in place when Powell left the program a year ago.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The next Backyard Brawl between West Virginia and Pitt is scheduled to be played in Pittsburgh during the 2026-27 season, though an exact date has not been finalized yet. The current contract between the two schools will come to an end after they play in Morgantown in 2027-28.

The takeaway

Powell's transfer to Pitt adds an intriguing personal storyline to the next Backyard Brawl, as the former Mountaineer will be looking to prove himself against his old team. This matchup will be a must-watch for college basketball fans, as the rivalry between WVU and Pitt is always intense, and Powell's presence on the other side will only heighten the drama.