Georgia freshman standout Asa Newell will be missed in Athens next season, but with talent like his, he couldn't wait to go to the NBA. Newell was the only Georgia player last season to receive any sort of SEC honors, as he was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team, and his announcement about declaring for the NBA came as no surprise, but the Bulldogs will certainly miss his presence on the court next season.
Newell came to the Bulldogs with a lot of promise and truly delivered, averaging 15.4 points per game, 6.9 rebounds, and one block while shooting 54.3% from the floor. Newell started and played in all 33 games for Georgia, finishing in double-digits in 30 of those contests. His performance at Georgia has turned the heads of NBA teams, so much so that Newell is a projected top-20 pick in the Draft coming in just a few short weeks.
Since declaring for the draft, Newell has worked out with three NBA teams, the Portland Trailblazers, how has the No. 11 overall pick, the Chicago Bulls, who has the No. 12 overall pick, and most recently the Atlanta Hawks, who has the No. 13 overall pick and the No. 22 overall pick.
According to @hoopshype, Hawks brought in Asa Newell and Jase Richardson for pre-draft workouts today.
Two freshmen standouts 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nebuFXYATd
— Zach Langley (@langleyatl) June 9, 2025
There is a chance that Newell could stick around Georgia if the Hawks decide to take a chance on the young freshman, but that is also if the Trailblazers or Bulls don't snatch him up first.
Newell is truly going to be something else in the NBA, and his career at Georgia, while it was short, does prove that. Newell earned SEC Freshman of the Week four times, tying for the Bulldogs and current NBA star Anthony Edwards for the honor. Newell also was the leading scorer for the Bulldogs this season in points per game, but also outright led the team in scoring in 20 games this season, as well as rebounding 16 times.
The Florida native will be an asset to any NBA team with his size and strength on he court, as well as his keen ability to score once he gets in the paint. Georgia fans can tune in to see where their star freshman gets selected in the NBA Draft on Wednesday, June 25, on ABC and ESPN.