Providence Basketball Player Charged with Domestic Assault

Duncan Powell pleads not guilty to misdemeanor charges stemming from altercations with woman

Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:09pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered water bottle against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the physical evidence in a domestic assault case.A shattered water bottle, the alleged weapon in a domestic assault case involving a Providence basketball player, captures the stark, gritty reality of the incident.Providence Today

Providence basketball player Duncan Powell has pleaded not guilty to domestic assault and disorderly conduct charges related to two separate incidents involving a woman over the weekend. Powell is accused of throwing a water bottle at the woman, causing injury to her knee, and later tracking her down to a residence in Cranston, where he allegedly threatened to kill everyone and then himself.

Why it matters

The charges against Powell, a backup forward who just finished his fifth college season with the Friars, raise concerns about player conduct and the potential for domestic violence issues among student-athletes. The case also highlights the need for accountability and proper response to such incidents within the college sports community.

The details

According to police, the 24-year-old woman reported the initial assault on Saturday morning, alleging that Powell became upset and threw a water bottle at her after she told him she was ending their relationship. The woman later went to visit friends in Cranston, where Powell allegedly made multiple calls, threatened her, and showed up at the residence, leading to his arrest at gunpoint by police.

  • The initial incident occurred on Saturday morning in Providence.
  • Powell was arraigned in Providence County District Court on Monday.
  • He is scheduled to appear in court in Cranston on Thursday for charges related to the second incident.

The players

Duncan Powell

A 24-year-old backup forward who just finished his fifth college season with the Providence Friars basketball team.

The 24-year-old woman

The alleged victim in the domestic assault and disorderly conduct incidents involving Powell.

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What’s next

Powell is scheduled to appear in court in Cranston on Thursday to face charges of domestic violence and disorderly conduct related to the second incident.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for college sports programs to have robust policies and procedures in place to address allegations of domestic violence and other off-court misconduct by student-athletes. It also underscores the importance of accountability and proper response to such incidents within the college sports community.