When it comes to the Georgia Bulldogs, almost everyone’s minds instantly travel to the 8-2 football team vying for a spot in the College Football Playoff with quite a number of NFL hopefuls on the roster.
That has been the case in each of the last four seasons, as the Bulldogs basketball team has been inconsistent, hovering around .500 every year, while constantly struggling in SEC play.
However, for the first time in five years, there may be something significant to cheer for in Athens. Well, really someone.
Meet five-star forward Asa Newell, the No. 11 recruit in the Class of 2024, and Georgia’s third-highest recruit of all time behind Anthony Edwards and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, both of whom have seen significant success in the NBA.
Newell committed to Georgia well over a year ago, shutting down his recruitment back in August of 2023, and instantly has become the face of the program since his arrival on campus.
The Bulldogs have started the season 4-0, which includes a 77-69 win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, and Newell has also earned his role as the team’s leading scorer, averaging 16.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game, while shooting 53.6 percent from the field and leading the team in minutes.
Asa Newell’s defensive versatility, ground coverage and feel protecting the rim has been a consistent force, early this season. Whether it’s help side, PnR or just effort plays.
10 blocks through 3 games for the Georgia freshman forward. pic.twitter.com/YIZ4kvSzzm
— Keandre Ashley (@HoopIntelllect) November 13, 2024
Newell exploded for 26 points in his debut, tying Dominique Wilkins’ freshman record, and helped will his team to an 83-78 win over Tennessee Tech. He has since put up at least 13 points in every game, while shooting over 50 percent from the field.
His early performances led him to win SEC Freshman of the Week this past week, thanks to strong two-way play, as he’s blocked at least three shots in three of the team’s four games.
“He’s about the right stuff,” head coach Mike White said after Newell’s 26 points in the season opener. “He’ll be in the gym tomorrow morning getting shots up on his own. He’ll be there on the day off tomorrow. He’ll be begging the [graduate assistants] to get in the gym to work him out. That’s just who he is. In the summer, we had to kick him out of the gym.
“He understands that he gets it. He knows that we weren’t at our best defensively. He’ll put some of that on himself, although he was fantastic. I don’t think there were as many defensive miscues with him as there were across the board, generally speaking. Six offensive rebounds, in passing lanes defensively, altering shots at the rim. He’s mature beyond his years. He’s an accountable player.”
Newell’s quick acclimation to the college level gives Georgia their most talented freshman since Anthony Edwards was on campus back in 2019. But, there’s a difference between the teams surrounding the freshmen, as Edwards could only lead the Bulldogs to a 16-16 record, despite being a top player in the country at the time.
Behind Newell, the Bulldogs are hoping that an NCAA tournament appearance is in the cards for the first time since 2015. They had their first postseason appearance since 2017, when they earned an invitation to the NIT, making it all the way to the semifinals.
Now, they return sophomores Silas Demary Jr. and Blue Cain as returning starters, while the remainder of the key rotation pieces are either transfers or freshmen. Can Newell be that missing piece that returns Georgia to the dance? Time will tell.
