He had two consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. He became an undrafted free agent. And now, he is a Western Conference Champion and an NBA Finals participant.

Josh Powell’s basketball career has been full of ups and downs. But after this past season, his career reached an all-time high.

The former N.C. State standout, who left the Wolfpack after his sophomore year and the 2002-2003 basketball season to enter the 2003 NBA Draft, participated in his first NBA Finals this past season with the Dallas Mavericks.

While Powell only posted four minutes of playing time throughout the series against the Miami Heat, who eventually went on to win the series 4-2 after the Mavs jumped out to a 2-0 series lead, he said the experience was something he would not forget.

“It was wonderful, exciting, emotional and intense,” Powell said. “Words can’t really explain it — being somewhere where so many people want to be.”

According to Powell, the path to the next level wasn’t easy. He said getting the opportunity to play for the Mavs was amazing.

“It was a blessing, I always had a dream and I always knew that I could play at this level if I got the right timing,” Powell said.

He said things got emotional when he found out he was going to be playing.

“It brought tears to my eyes. I was very thankful,” he said. “I never could explain it — being where I am and getting the opportunity that I’ve been given, it’s something really special.”

Powell signed with Dallas last summer, receiving a two-year contract, with the first year guaranteed and the second year with the Mavs having the option to pick up the contract. As of now, he does not know whether the team will pursue that option.

He said the decision should come from a combination of Avery Johnson, Mark Cuban and other members of the staff — a staff that he said he enjoys being around.

Powell described Johnson as a tough-nosed coach that anyone would like to play for, even with his demanding persona.

“He has his own personality,” Powell said. “His nickname is ‘The General’ and he’s very demanding and disciplined. He wants things done the right way and he brings the best out of you.”

With Cuban, Powell said he gets the best owner anyone can play for because of his compassion for the players.

“It is great because he is a big fan of the game,” Powell said. “He is very supportive of us no matter what — on and off the court.”

Shortly after he competed in a summer league game on July 6 in the Toshiba Vegas Summer League, Powell, who scored seven points in 25 minutes, said Cuban was there, even though the stars of the team were not participating in the game.

“We just finished a summer league game and he was here,” Powell said. “That’s just the kind of owner he is.”

While the Mavericks lost the game, 113-85, to the Denver Nuggets, Powell’s teammate, former State guard Anthony Grundy, scored 16 points and had four steals in only 18 minutes.

Powell said he still gets the opportunity to talk with some of his former teammates, aside from spending time with Grundy.

“Me and Grundy play together with the Mavs, so it’s nice being with him a lot,” Powell said. “I speak with Marcus Melvin a lot still and when I see Julius [Hodge] we speak. I’ll talk to Jordan Collins once in a while.”

Looking back on his final season with the Pack, a season that finished with State losing to California in the opening round, Powell said the team was full of talent. So much talent, in fact, that he said there wasn’t one player that stood out.

“We had a very talented team, all the guys were special,” Powell said. “We had a lot of versatility — one through five — everyone could do everything. I wouldn’t say there was one player that was the best while I played there.”

Being able to have a versatile player at all five positions was very important to the Princeton-type State offense, Powell said. Playing for former coach Herb Sendek was something Powell said he enjoyed.

However, after learning of his departure from the program after this past basketball season, Powell said he thinks he chose the best option.

“He made the best decision for him and his family,” Powell said. “Him being in a new situation will be a lot better for him. He’ll be able to do the same if not better at Arizona State. He will get them back on track.”

Not only did the team lose Sendek, but they also lost Cedric Simmons. Simmons, who’s decision to go pro closely resembled Powell’s departure a few years back, had become good friends with Powell over the past couple years.

Powell has visited Raleigh since going pro, playing basketball with some of his former teammates and current players on the team. But, he was quick to say there were differences in his own career and that of Simmons.

“I know Cedric — we are cool. We always play against each other when I come back to Raleigh,” Powell said.

“He was really given a better opportunity. He was allowed to do what he wanted to do, and playing time really helped him. He was able to use his athleticism when he played.”

But even with the departure of Sendek and Simmons, Powell said he thinks State will continue having strong performances within the ACC.

He said adding coach Sidney Lowe, a former NBA assistant of the Detroit Pistons, should help the team in many aspects — recruiting especially.

“Ultimately everyone wants to be a pro,” Powell said. “Being that he knows what to look for, it can help someone build a team, especially picking up guys. He can see the talent it takes to get to that next level and guys will appreciate that.”

With his ability to recruit, Powell said Lowe will keep the team going to the NCAA Tournament, too.

“I’m sure they’ll still be able to keep the pride and keep building N.C. State and keep the talent coming,” Powell said. “They will continue to go to the NCAA Tournament.”