In terms of the Georgia Bulldogs, virtually everybody’s minds immediately journey to the 8-2 soccer group vying for a spot within the Faculty Soccer Playoff with fairly a lot of NFL hopefuls on the roster.
That has been the case in every of the final 4 seasons, because the Bulldogs basketball group has been inconsistent, hovering round .500 yearly, whereas always struggling in SEC play.
Nonetheless, for the primary time in 5 years, there could also be one thing important to cheer for in Athens. Effectively, actually somebody.
Meet five-star ahead Asa Newell, the No. 11 recruit within the Class of 2024, and Georgia’s third-highest recruit of all time behind Anthony Edwards and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, each of whom have seen important success within the NBA.
Newell dedicated to Georgia nicely over a yr in the past, shutting down his recruitment again in August of 2023, and immediately has develop into the face of this system since his arrival on campus.
The Bulldogs have began the season 4-0, which features a 77-69 win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, and Newell has additionally earned his function because the group’s main scorer, averaging 16.8 factors, 7.5 rebounds and a pair of.5 blocks per sport, whereas capturing 53.6 p.c from the sphere and main the group in minutes.
Asa Newell’s defensive versatility, floor protection and really feel defending the rim has been a constant power, early this season. Whether or not it is assist facet, PnR or simply effort performs.
10 blocks by way of 3 video games for the Georgia freshman ahead. pic.twitter.com/YIZ4kvSzzm
— Keandre Ashley (@HoopIntelllect) November 13, 2024
Newell exploded for 26 factors in his debut, tying Dominique Wilkins’ freshman file, and helped will his group to an 83-78 win over Tennessee Tech. He has since put up at the least 13 factors in each sport, whereas capturing over 50 p.c from the sphere.
His early performances led him to win SEC Freshman of the Week this previous week, because of sturdy two-way play, as he’s blocked at the least three pictures in three of the group’s 4 video games.
“He’s about the suitable stuff,” head coach Mike White mentioned after Newell’s 26 factors within the season opener. “He’ll be within the gymnasium tomorrow morning getting pictures up on his personal. He’ll be there on the day without work tomorrow. He’ll be begging the [graduate assistants] to get within the gymnasium to work him out. That’s simply who he’s. In the summertime, we needed to kick him out of the gymnasium.
“He understands that he will get it. He is aware of that we weren’t at our greatest defensively. He’ll put a few of that on himself, though he was improbable. I don’t suppose there have been as many defensive miscues with him as there have been throughout the board, typically talking. Six offensive rebounds, in passing lanes defensively, altering pictures on the rim. He’s mature past his years. He’s an accountable participant.”
Newell’s fast acclimation to the faculty degree provides Georgia their most gifted freshman since Anthony Edwards was on campus again in 2019. However, there’s a distinction between the groups surrounding the freshmen, as Edwards may solely lead the Bulldogs to a 16-16 file, regardless of being a high participant within the nation on the time.
Behind Newell, the Bulldogs are hoping that an NCAA match look is within the playing cards for the primary time since 2015. That they had their first postseason look since 2017, after they earned an invite to the NIT, making all of it the best way to the semifinals.
Now, they return sophomores Silas Demary Jr. and Blue Cain as returning starters, whereas the rest of the important thing rotation items are both transfers or freshmen. Can Newell be that lacking piece that returns Georgia to the dance? Time will inform.