2025 NBA Draft: Surprise Risers Teams Need to Be Watching
Asa Newell, Georgia PF/C
Asa Newell, Georgia PF/C
- “Updated projected draft range: Late lottery-mid-first round.
- Playing 26.3 minutes per game as a freshman, Asa Newell is tied for the nation's lead in dunks. Timing and motor have helped the 6'11", 220-pound big optimize every inch of size and length. Even if the heavy majority of his baskets are coming off teammates' creativity, Newell clearly has a knack for putting himself in the right spots to pick up easy baskets off the catch and second-chance opportunities.
But now he's starting make jump shots. He shot over 40.0 percent from three at Montverde Academy, and while we're still talking about a small sample size of recent accuracy at Georgia, his high school tape, visible confidence and comfort level suggest that Newell can continue to be a pick-and-pop, catch-and-shoot threat.
There's also been a lot to like about Newell's defense, particularly how he covers ground, sticks with ball-handlers on switches and gets out to contest shots away from the basket. He'll have to clean up some footwork, but overall, opponents are shooting 26.3 percent against his closeouts.”
