Asa Newell Bio
Asa Christian Newell (born October 5, 2005) is an American professional basketball player for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He plays the power forward position and stands 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) tall, weighing about 220 lb (100 kg). A consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2024 class, Newell played college basketball for the Georgia Bulldogs before entering the NBA in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Early Life and Background
Asa Christian Newell was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and spent his earliest years in the city before his family relocated to Athens, Georgia. He lived in Athens for roughly six years, from age four to age ten, while his grandmother, Jacqueline Mitchell, worked in Human Resources at the University of Georgia. When he was ten, his family moved to Destin, Florida, where he would later be listed as a resident. He is the son of Justin Newell and Carmen Mitchell-Newell.
Newell began his high school career at Choctawhatchee High School in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. As a sophomore, he averaged 14.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game and was named area Player of the Year by the Northwest Florida Daily News. His rapid development on the court drew attention from national scouts, setting the stage for a high-profile transfer.
Path to Basketball
Prior to his junior year, Newell transferred to Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, a program known for producing elite NBA prospects. Competing against top-tier competition, he continued to sharpen his skills as a forward with a versatile offensive game and strong rebounding instincts. His play at Montverde helped cement his status as one of the most sought-after recruits in the country.
On October 25, 2023, Newell committed to playing college basketball for the Georgia Bulldogs, choosing the program over offers from Texas, Alabama, and Gonzaga. He signed his National Letter of Intent during the early signing period on November 8, 2023. He was rated a consensus five-star recruit and ranked among the top players in the 2024 class by major recruiting services.
Asa Newell Career
College Career (2024–2025)
Newell made his debut for the Georgia Bulldogs on November 4, 2024, recording 26 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks in an 83–78 win over Tennessee Tech. The performance offered an early look at the inside-out skill set that had made him such a coveted recruit. He went on to play a central role for the Bulldogs throughout the season.
Across his lone college season, Newell averaged 15.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.0 block in 29.0 minutes per game. He was named to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Freshman Team, becoming the second Georgia freshman ever to earn first-team all-conference honors. Following the season, he declared for the 2025 NBA draft.
NBA Breakthrough (2025–Present)
On June 25, 2025, Newell was selected with the 23rd overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NBA draft by the New Orleans Pelicans. Shortly after the selection, he was traded, along with a future unprotected first-round pick, to his hometown team, the Atlanta Hawks. The trade was part of the package that brought the draft rights of his former high school teammate Derik Queen to New Orleans, making the deal a notable reunion storyline for the young forward.
Newell joined the Hawks and was also assigned to the College Park Skyhawks, Atlanta’s NBA G League affiliate, as part of his early professional development. He wears jersey No. 14 for the Atlanta Hawks, stepping into a power forward role in a young, ascending roster built around versatile frontcourt players.
Playing Style and Strengths
Newell is a modern power forward whose game blends interior scoring, mid-range touch, and a growing perimeter skill set. He rebounds at a high rate for his position, protects the rim with consistent shot-blocking, and shows the kind of face-up ability that allows him to attack closeouts. At 6 ft 10 in, he has the size to defend multiple positions and the footwork to operate in the post or step out to the three-point line.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments, Newell represented the United States at the 2022 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup in Spain, and was later named to the United States under-19 basketball team for the 2023 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup. He also played in the 2024 Jordan Brand Classic and the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit, two of the premier high school all-star events. His draft-night trade to his hometown Hawks added an emotional milestone to the start of his NBA journey.
Asa Newell Career Wins
Asa Newell’s career achievements to this point center on individual honors and high-profile selections rather than championship trophies. He was a consensus five-star recruit, a Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit participant, and an SEC All-Freshman Team honoree. In 2025, he realized a major professional milestone when he was selected 23rd overall in the NBA draft.
NCAA Highlights
Newell played one season of college basketball at Georgia, during which he posted averages of 15.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.0 block per game. His 26-point, 11-rebound, three-block debut against Tennessee Tech on November 4, 2024, set the tone for his freshman campaign. He capped the year with an SEC All-Freshman Team selection, the only such conference honor of his college career.
International Highlights
Newell represented the United States on the international stage as a teenager, playing for the under-17 national team at the 2022 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup in Spain. He was later named to the United States under-19 basketball team that competed in the 2023 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup. These appearances underscored his standing among the top American prospects of his age group.
Asa Newell Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Newell is the son of Justin Newell and Carmen Mitchell-Newell. His older brother, Jaden Newell, is a walk-on basketball player at the University of Georgia, giving the family a meaningful connection to the same program where Asa began his college career. His grandmother, Jacqueline Mitchell, worked in Human Resources at the University of Georgia, a link that tied the family to the Athens community during Asa’s childhood.
Personal Life
Born in Atlanta, Newell moved with his family to Athens, Georgia, as a young child, where he lived for about six years before relocating to Destin, Florida, at age ten. Florida, particularly the Destin area, is listed as his current residence, and he attended Choctawhatchee High School and later Montverde Academy, both in Florida. Returning to the Atlanta area to play for the Hawks has effectively brought his professional career back to his birthplace.
2025 Season Performance
Newell’s 2025 season has been defined by transition. He opened the year completing his freshman campaign at Georgia, where his averages of 15.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.0 block per game established him as one of the top young forwards in college basketball. His SEC All-Freshman Team selection confirmed his status as a building-block talent at the collegiate level.
Selected 23rd overall in the 2025 NBA draft and quickly rerouted to the Atlanta Hawks, Newell began his pro career with the opportunity to develop within a familiar organization. His assignment to the College Park Skyhawks in the NBA G League offered a structured environment to refine his game against professional competition, complementing his time with the Hawks’ main roster.
Looking ahead, Newell’s rookie season is focused on adjusting to NBA speed and physicality while carving out a role in Atlanta’s frontcourt. With the Hawks investing a future first-round pick to acquire him, the organization has signaled its belief in his long-term upside. His blend of size, scoring touch, and shot-blocking instincts provides a clear foundation on which to build his young NBA career.
