Sports
Asa Newell Chooses Georgia Over Basketball Powerhouses, Eyes Legacy
ATHENS, Ga. – When five-star basketball recruit Asa Newell committed to the University of Georgia in October 2023, it raised eyebrows across the college basketball world. Despite offers from more established programs, Newell chose the Bulldogs, a decision deeply rooted in family history and a desire to build a legacy.
Newell and his older brother, Jaden, a sophomore forward, grew up in Athens, where their late grandmother, Jacqueline Mitchell, worked at the university for 15 years. The brothers attended preschool on campus, took piano lessons, and participated in drama camps, forging a lifelong connection to the school. “She was very hardworking and dedicated to our family,” Asa said of his grandmother. “She made sure we had everything we needed.”
After Mitchell’s death in 2016, the family moved to Destin, Florida, but the brothers’ ties to Athens remained strong. Jaden enrolled at Georgia as a preferred walk-on in 2022, and Asa followed suit a year later, surprising many by choosing the Bulldogs over more prominent programs. “Asa wanted to be a change agent,” said their mother, Carmen Mitchell-Newell. “He wanted to go somewhere he could make a difference.”
Asa, a 6-foot-10 power forward ranked No. 13 in the class of 2024, is Georgia’s second five-star recruit since ESPN‘s recruiting database began in 2007. He leads the team in scoring (15.4 points) and rebounding (6.8) as the Bulldogs enjoy a 14-2 start to the season, including recent wins over ranked opponents. “I wanted to go somewhere they needed me,” Asa said. “I felt like Georgia needed me.”
Georgia head coach Mike White praised Asa’s consistency and maturity, calling him a “true freshman” who hasn’t had a bad day yet. “He’s the same kid every single day,” White said. “He’s got an old soul.” Asa is projected as a one-and-done player, with ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony ranking him as the No. 24 prospect for the 2025 NBA Draft.
Jaden, a biology major aspiring to attend medical school, has also made an impact, earning praise for his work ethic and unselfish play. “He’s turned himself into a scholarship player in the SEC,” White said. The brothers now live together near campus, with Asa crediting Jaden for paving the way. “Jaden went before him to make the opportunity better,” Mitchell-Newell said.
Georgia’s basketball program, which hasn’t reached the NCAA tournament since 2015, is experiencing a resurgence under White. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 23 in the AP and coaches’ polls, their first appearance in both since 2003. With upcoming games against top-ranked teams, including No. 1 Kentucky, the Newell brothers are at the heart of Georgia’s push for national relevance.
“People care about basketball here,” White said. “They have shown up.” Asa Newell’s decision to return to Athens may prove to be the catalyst for a new era of Georgia basketball.