Georgia Basketball: Dawgs Land 5-Star PF Asa Newell

Georgia basketball picked up arguably the biggest recruiting win of the Mike White era and one of the biggest recruiting wins in program history on Wednesday as the Dawgs landed a commitment from consensus 2024 five-star prospect Asa Newell out of Montverde Academy in Florida.

Newell is a 6’9, 205 pound Power Forward out of Fort Walton Beach, Fla who chose Georgia over other finalists Alabama, Gonzaga, and Texas. Newell ranks as the #8 player in the class according to the 247 Composite and the #11 player in the class according to On3’s Industry Rankings. He is a consensus top 16 recruit to go along with his consensus Five-Star status.

5-star PF Asa Newell commits to Georgia Basketball

Newell is originally from Athens, but later moved to Florida. As a Sophomore at Choctawhatchee High School, Newell averaged 14.7 PPG and 8.7 RPG. He then transferred to national powerhouse Montverde Academy where he averaged 6.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and 1.1 APG last year.

Newell recently played for the Team USA U-19 national team at the FIBA U19 World Cup. Newell averaged 7.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG, and 2.3 BPG on 51.1% shooting in 7 games at the event while helping lead the US to a fourth place finish.

Newell is the third highest ranked recruit (and if he makes it to Athens, would be the second highest ranked recruit to ever play for Georgia) in program history, trailing only Anthony Edwards (class of 2019) and Lou Williams (c/o 2005). Newell would be the second highest ranked recruit to ever to actually play for Georgia because Williams was committed to Georgia, but ultimately went to the NBA straight out of High School instead.

Newell still has some refinement to do as a prospect (as almost any player entering his senior year of high school will), but he is ultra skilled, athletic, and long. He has the potential to be a stretch forward who is a strong defender as well.

Landing a player of Newell’s caliber, one of the most talented recruits in program history, while also beating out powerhouses like Alabama and Gonzaga to do it is a huge win for Mike White and UGA. Mike White is entering his second year in Athens where he has quickly overhauled Georgia’s roster using the transfer portal.

Newell is the first HS commit of the 2024 class for the Dawgs, but he could be a guy that you can build a class around in that other players will want to come play alongside him. Georgia has been linked to other top players in the 2024 class such as Five-star Derrion Reid (#17 ranked player in the class) and Four-Stars Khani Rooths (#29 ranked player), Gicarri Harris (#75 ranked player), and Jahki Howard (#85 ranked player). Landing Newell could help the Dawgs in the recruitment of those players.

White’s first full HS recruiting class at Georgia in 2023 ranked as the #21 class in the country and featured a trio of Four-Stars in Silas Demary Jr. (#72 ranked player in class), Blue Cain (#77 ranked player), and Dylan James (#87 ranked player).

Asa Newell is the younger brother of current Georgia walk-on Redshirt Freshman Jaden Newell.