A day after he was bypassed in the NBA draft, former South Carolina forward Carlos Powell got new breath pumped into his professional basketball hopes.

Powell, the Gamecocks’ all-time leader in games played, signed a free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, his former high school coach said.

Tommy Johnson, who coached Powell at Wilson High in Florence, said Powell will join the Lakers’ summer league July 5. His contract does not guarantee him a spot on the Lakers’ opening-night roster.

“Naturally, he was disappointed when his name didn’t get called (in Tuesday night’s draft),” Johnson said. “When you see some guys that Carlos was better than getting drafted and Carlos not getting drafted, that disappoints you.”

Attempts to reach Powell on Thursday were unsuccessful.

Powell will join the Lakers’ three draft picks — high school star Andrew Bynum, Gonzaga’s Ronny Turiaf and Florida State’s Von Wafer — in the summer league. Some veteran players also might attend.

“L.A. was the first team he worked out for, and they liked him from the beginning,” Johnson said.

In addition to giving him a shot at making the team, the summer league will give Powell opportunities to improve his outside shooting and ball handling, his two most glaring weaknesses.

Johnson said Powell has practiced often since finishing his USC career in March, even spending part of draft day sharpening his skills in Wilson High’s gym.

Johnson said he did not know Powell’s contract terms. But if Powell makes the opening-day roster, he will make at least the league’s minimum salary of about $385,000.

Powell completed his USC career sixth on the school’s all-time scoring list with 1,541 points. He was named most valuable player of the National Invitation Tournament, which the Gamecocks won, beating St. Joseph’s 60-57 in the championship game.

“The thing about Carlos — and these NBA guys will figure it out — he has gotten better every year he has played,” Johnson said. “Some of those (NBA) guys are as good now as they’re ever going to be. I really believe Carlos’ best basketball is in front of him.”