#22 Asa Newell
6'9 | Forward | Georgia | 10/05/2005
Cerebro Player Profile: Asa Newell
Big Board Rankings 1.0 (@ twitter ):
Evaluation by: @calebmueller23
https://videopress.com/v/OXlroRXA?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&autoPlay=true&loop=true&muted=true&persistVolume=false&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true
Edit: How about that debut?
Asa Newell is your prototype modern four at his best. 6’10 with speed, verticality, and tons of skill. He has high-quality footwork and touch, both demonstrating how he has expanded his game beyond just leveraging his natural gifts. His jump shot form is tantalizing and promising for a player of his size and age. He also has the chance to surprise draft heads with the ability to attack the rim in space.
I think Georgia is in need of a consistent force around the rim, and he should fill that role quite well. This may diminish his draft stock as far as being viewed as a non-stretch big by people late to the party. However, for those who have been watching the last few years, we know he has been hovering around the point where we can expect a leap. In his career, per Cerebro Sports, including international competition, he is 47 for 145 (32%) across 86 games. If we want to project his shot, I think he can be an above league-average shooter by the time he reaches a prominent role in an NBA system, and his ability to dominate in the paint he has displayed at times will only add to his value as a spacer. He has a functional handle and can potentially attack closeouts or at least have the ability to take a mismatch into the post and bully him. He also has displayed the ability to grab and go in transition, which is promising, considering he will probably lead SEC freshmen on rebounding.
https://videopress.com/v/KOzDk0ey?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&autoPlay=true&loop=true&muted=true&persistVolume=false&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true
Speaking of the rebounds and overall rim stuff. Asa is awesome. He has a great motor and plays with ferocity. It is just flat-out fun to watch him play at this end. He is willing to sacrifice his body for his team on a nightly basis, fighting for board control and denying easy looks around the rim with his long arms. It looks like he probably added 5 pounds of muscle since getting to Georgia, which is a positive sign for his long-term progression.
Let’s just hope that doesn’t effect he jumper too much. If it doesn’t, I am quite confident we will see Asa taken around the top 10 in the draft. He will be dominant as a freshman in mismatches and against top-tier opponents. I think he was relatively slept on due to class strength and depth, but it’s unlikely to continue.