Breaking down NBA Draft stock of Georgia star Asa Newell entering offseason workouts

As the NBA Draft grows closer and offseason workouts begin for prospects hoping to hear their name called in the first round, there is plenty to breakdown on the top prospects. Georgia star Asa Newell is among the players with the most to showcase in the coming months, hoping to build on a big freshman season.

The 6-foot-11 forward shined in the frontcourt, proving why he was ranked the No. 12 prospect in the 2024 On3 Industry Rankings out of high school and a five-star plus player. That has translated quickly to a potential lottery selection, and a likely role on a professional roster next season.

With a special skillset to project, it is important to look at both what Newell has done, and what he can become based on the projectable skillsets he possesses. The balance will ultimately determine his draft position in June.

What Asa Newell does

With the size of an NBA center, but the play style somewhere between the most-often used modern basketball terms forward and big, Asa Newell is an interesting player to evaluate. In old-school terms, he would be a textbook power forward.

As a freshman, Newell averaged 15.4 points and 6.9 rebounds on 54.3-percent from the field, 29.2-percent from the 3-point line and 74.8-percent on free throws. He also posted a 131.5 offensive rating and 26.1 PER for those focused on analytics.

His best work on offense was done on the interior, where he was a particularly strong offensive rebounder at 3.3 per game, in addition to strong finishing around the rim.

On defense, the ability to disrupt was on display, averaging a block and steal during the year. The analytics also show he possessed value on that end of the floor, even if it did not match his huge offensive numbers.

Where to project

The need to project in Asa Newell’s game is clear given his in-between status. Teams will look to what he can become before deciding whether to play him beside certain bigs or in certain systems.

If he can develop a corner 3-point shot and show it off in workouts, the offensive value could shoot up even further than it reached in college. Meanwhile, there is a balance to be kept given his work keeping possessions alive.

On defense, the ability to guard more on the perimeter will be tested. That is a key area where offseason workouts and testing – which will provide insight into his foot-speed, lateral quickness, and more – could raise his stock significantly before draft night.

In the end, there is always plenty of projection made on NBA Draft prospects before selection. In the case of Newell, that debate will rage throughout the offseason and well into the early stages of his NBA career. Ultimately, his continued growth will tell the story of which teams hit and which missed.