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Georgia no strangers to winning the recruiting wars on the football side of things, but the basketball team made the noise on Wednesday.
The Bulldogs secured the commitment of 5-star power forward Asa Newell, per Joe Tipton of On3, beating out Alabama, Gonzaga and Texas.
The Montverde Academy product is considered a 5-star prospect in the Class of 2024 and is the No. 8 player overall, the No. 2 power forward and the No. 2 player from the state of Florida, according to 247Sports’ Composite Rankings.
Newell told Tipton that he chose Georgia because he has a “lot of faith” in head coach Mike White and assistant Erik Pastrana:
“I know they are going to hold me accountable and push me every day—in the weight room and in practice. They also have a strong player development program to work on my game and my weaknesses. On my visit, it felt like home. I was raised in Athens and I have family there. My brother (Jaden) goes up there too and he was like a double agent, telling me about coach Mike White, telling me about Georgia. I have peace with the decision. I know God is steering me in the right direction to change the culture. Go Dawgs!”
His brother, Jaden Newell, is a redshirt freshman for Georgia after being a walk-on ahead of the 2022-23 season. He spent last season on the scout team.
Asa Newell, however, is one of the top young players in the country and a major get for White and the Bulldogs. Brandon Jenkins of 247Sports described him as a “highly talented southpaw forward who possesses a unique overlap of size, athleticism, and face-up skill” and is both a “consistent shooter from beyond the arc” and an “explosive vertical athlete, emphatic above-the-rim finisher, and consistent lob threat.”
Jonathan Wasserman @NBADraftWass
Asa Newell to Georgia. Off to a good start after strong U19s. Active play-finisher, face up and rip -through threat, improving shooter, versatile defender. Potential top 10 for 2025 https://t.co/20m6KrnhHc pic.twitter.com/M8hZF2NaZH
Paul Biancardi @PaulBiancardi
Asa Newell to Georgia.
Mike White has landed a bonafide five-star prospect sitting at no.11 overall in the class of 2024.
Analysis on what he will bring Georgia Basketball.
Newell is a long left-handed forward who stands at 6’10″and is starting to blossom as a senior at… pic.twitter.com/aQl4TScZWJ
Adam Finkelstein @AdamFinkelstein
Asa Newell is off the board to Georgia and this is a big deal for Mike White, for a couple reasons.
Scouting report & analysis: https://t.co/Juza7BDAif
🎧⬆️ pic.twitter.com/0aa8EWvOhM
In the modern game, which prioritizes length and the ability to space the floor, Newell is the ideal power-forward prospect.
And he’s a statement commitment for White as he looks to rebuild a Georgia program that hasn’t reached the NCAA tournament since the 2014-15 season.
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