Top-10 senior Asa Newell chooses Georgia

October 25, 2023 by Max Feldman

THE LEAD

Asa Newell, the no. 9 overall prospect in 2024, has committed to the Georgia. The 6-9 forward chose the Bulldogs over Gonzaga, Alabama and Texas.

BACKGROUND

It's been a steady climb onto the national stage for Newell, an Athens, Georgia native. The 6-9 forward arrived to Montverde Academy from Choctawhatchee (FL) as a junior, starting a collection of games alongside a myriad of future McDonald All-Americans. Newell has been a steady presence with USA basketball's junior national teams, both at the U17 and U19 levels. Jaden Newell, Asa's older brother, walked on to the Bulldogs roster in 2022-23.

SOUND BITE

"Similar to Jalen Duren, guys who have a ton to their game at 6-10+, Asa has started to embrace that to get on the floor, you have to be productive and dominant now. He'll be able to show those things that make him special later on, but he's starting to do the little things like rebound and run the floor consistently now." -- Kevin Boyle Jr, Montverde Academy

WHAT'S NEXT?

Mike White has reinvigorated the UGA program since his arrival prior to 2022-23, and the success on the recruiting trail reflects that. In his first full class, White and company put together a Top-25 class including a pair of high level guards in Silas Demary Jr and Blue Cain. Now, another Top-25 finish might be in store for the Dawgs. Khani Rooths and Derrion Reid now rise to the top of the board, two Top-45 prospects whom Georgia is in the thick of it with.

MY TAKE

There may not be five more enticing long-term prospects in the senior class than Newell, and over the last few months he's begun to blend both the potential and production at a high level. The 6-9 southpaw moves like a guard in the open floor and is extremely fast off the ground, leading to big-time production on the glass and easy opportunities around the rim. The past year playing on the NIBC has allowed Newell to add more substance to his game, and rely less on his three-point shot-making and mismatch slashing ability. Still, there's plenty more to shore up and tap into as he gains more reps against elite competition, but the blend of defensive mobility, instincts making plays in rotation, shooting touch and fluid athleticism should have him squarely on NBA scouts radars heading into the 2024-25 CBB season.

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