By: Justin Lloyd, our 2025 Sekou Smith Summer League Experience Intern
As the No. 23 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the hype around Asa Newell didn't quite match the hype surrounding many of his peers, even though he had a strong freshman season at Georgia. Newell finished his lone season with the Bulldogs leading the team in both points (15.4 PPG) and rebounds (6.9 RPG) per game - the first freshman to lead the Bulldogs in scoring and rebounding since Jumaine Jones in 1997-98 - while showing glimpses of his raw athleticism, lethal touch near the basket, and an emerging perimeter shooting game.
Standing at 6-11 and being just 19 years old, Newell’s upside has never been in doubt, but many questioned whether he’d be able to contribute right away. After a string of solid Summer League outings, he’s given Hawks fans something to consider.
Beyond his physical tools, Newell’s competitive edge was clear this summer. Newell has competed against high-level athletes for several years now and has built a reputation for doing the little things that impact winning. He credits his experiences playing for both UGA and the powerhouse Montverde Academy program for helping him handle the competitive Summer League environment.
“You’ve got to be a pro before you’re a pro,” said Newell. “Playing with three first-round guys at Montverde (Cooper Flagg, Liam McNeeley, Derik Queen) definitely helped me. But the SEC really prepared me for the physicality.”
Newell’s impact was huge down the stretch of Atlanta’s 111-108 overtime win over the Houston Rockets. Down by three with a minute and a half left, he secured a crucial steal on defense, immediately followed by an offensive board and a game-tying three-pointer on the other end.
In the following game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Newell would tally four stocks (steals + blocks), including a huge rejection down the stretch that would help the Hawks to pick up a 92-88 win. These are the types of winning plays that Hawks General Manager Onsi Saleh raved about in his post-draft press conference.
“The things that he does impact winning,” said Saleh. “People can just look at scoring and box scores, but he really helps with winning and creating a culture for your program.”
Newell’s impact on winning could also be felt through his work grabbing rebounds. He was the leading rebounder of the Hawks Summer League squad, averaging 8.3 rebounds per game, and was one of only five players to average at least 13.0 points and 8.0 boards throughout Summer League (min. 4 GP).
Fans also got a glimpse of the player Newell could be on offense. Through four games, he averaged 13.5 points while flexing a .513 FG%. He’s a relentless runner who consistently finds easy buckets near the rim through his hustle in transition, and he also flashed his ability to convert on contested lay-ups.
Newell also shined from three-point territory, knocking down a solid .429% of his shots from behind the arc on 3.5 attempts per game, the fourth-best clip from deep on the Hawks. In the second game of Summer League against the Phoenix Suns, he scored 18 points while shooting 7-9 from the field and 4-5 from three.
“My three-point shot is feeling really good,” said Newell. “I’m really just getting into the flow of things in an NBA system and NBA spacing.”
There’s still work to be done for Newell, and he’s embracing this. If he manages to become stronger, it will likely make him more difficult to contain in transition and a more physical presence on the defensive end. As he continues to improve as a shooter, while sharpening the tools that he already has, his impact on the court is only expected to grow. He and his team already have a plan in place for how he can improve before training camp begins.
If his Summer League performance is any indication, Newell is more than willing to put in the work to become a better player. With his competitive drive and willingness to grow, he’s well on his way to becoming a difference-maker.