[citation needed] Powell had his first successes at the CARIFTA Games, where he won two silver medals in 1989, before taking the 200 metres title in 1990.

He began attending Texas Christian University and had success at the 1994 NCAA championships, taking third in the 100 m and anchoring the TCU Horned Frogs to a relay gold.

The next year he took a silver medal over 55 metres indoors and won another silver outdoors, setting his 10.07 seconds personal best for the 100 m.[citation needed] He qualified for the 1995 World Championships with a second place at the Jamaican National Championships, but his test from the competition came back positive for the stimulant ephedrine and he was banned for three months.

Powell finished second in the Under 20 Men 100m at the CARIFTA Games, time 10.64 s, second in the 200 m in 21.8 s and first in the 4 × 100 m relay in 40.4 s[1] Powell famously defeated Daniel England in the Class one 200 m at the ISSA High School Championships, giving England his only loss in four years at the Championships.

[2] At the CARIFTA Games he won the Under 20 Men 200 m in 21.42 s (wind -3.7 m/s) as well as the 4 × 100 m relay in 40.66 s[1] Competing at the IAAF World Indoor Championships Powell finished sixth in his heat, time 7.02 s.[3] Powell finished third in the 100 m at the NCAA Outdoor Championships and anchored the TCU 4 × 100 m relay team to first place.

[6][7] Powell repeated his success at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, again anchoring the TCU 4 × 100 m relay team to first place, and finished second in the 100 m in his personal best 10.07.

[8][9] Powell received a three-month ban from competition for a doping offense as his test was positive for the stimulant ephedrine.

The team qualified for the semi-final with a time of 38.97 and eventually finished fourth in the final without Powell running a leg.

[32] In 2003 Donovan lost another brother, Vaughn Powell, who suffered a random heart attack while playing a game of American Football.