Asa Newell reportedly heads to Hawks at No. 23
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The Atlanta Hawks are adding former Georgia forward Asa Newell at No. 23 after reportedly acquiring the pick from the New Orleans Pelicans earlier in Wednesday's draft.
Newell starred in a one-and-done season as a high-energy frontcourt starter with the Bulldogs. Though he was their de facto primary center, his most likely NBA fit will be at the four thanks to his mobility and defensive upside. He also boasts potential at the wing and can revert back to a five in small-ball lineups. Newell had some of his best college showings in Georgia's short-lived postseason, putting up 21 points with 17 rebounds in a SEC Tournament loss to Oklahoma before tallying 20 and eight in a Round 1 loss to Gonzaga at March Madness.
Bio
Position: Forward
School: Georgia
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 223.8 lbs
Wingspan: 6-foot-11
Max vertical: 36.5 inches
2024-25 statistics at Georgia
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | BLK | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 54.3 | 29.2 | 74.8 | 6.9 | 1 | 15.4 |
Offensively, Newell thrived around the basket for Georgia. When not running the floor in transition or as an effective roll man off his own screen, he had a knack for quietly floating into the right position behind the defense. He was also assertive for the ball when matched up against smaller defenders in the post. Though not the quickest forward defensively, he's both agile and athletic enough to stay with opposing perimeter scorers with the ball in their hands, and his ability to disrupt passing lanes results in plenty of transition opportunities. However, he's prone to getting beat on cuts away from the play, and stronger post players can can give him difficulty if they get set.
NBA comparison: Bobby Portis. The Milwaukee Bucks vet is an intriguing benchmark for Newell, whose outside shot and mechanics showed some promise in college but still have a ways to go in order for him to blossom into a dependable 3-point shooter in the NBA. The 6-foot-10 Portis was also a sub-30% shooter in his freshman year at Arkansas and didn't become a reliable option from deep until shooting 39.3% in his fourth NBA season. Newell's defensive versatility paired with a propulsive motor will likely assure him, at minimum, a role off the bench as an energy forward, much like Portis' recent seasons with the Bucks. But he could cement a bigger role as a starter if his shot and self-creation develop quickly and he adds some strength to his lanky frame.