Atlanta Hawks Rookie Watch - Asa Newell

The Atlanta Hawks may have struck gold when they traded back to grab 6’10” forward Asa Newell with the 23rd overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft (the trade also included a 2026 first-round pick). The one-and-done Georgia Bulldog was a five-star recruit who, during Summer League, showed flashes of why the Hawks, who were willing to move the 13th pick to New Orleans, were so excited to get him. 

During his single season with the Bulldogs, Newell averaged 15.4 PPG, 6.9 RPG, and 1 BPG, earning a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team. Those numbers were slightly similar to what the Hawks witnessed when the young forward recorded 18 points and 11 boards in his first Summer League game and then followed it up with a stat-stuffing 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks effort, a few days later. While Summer League numbers are always taken with a grain of salt, it did showcase what made Newell so attractive to the Hawks front office.

Armed with a smooth left-handed shot, the Atlanta-born native is a mobile and versatile big man with a high basketball IQ, providing the Hawks with a modern big man who can stretch the floor while still providing an anchor in the paint on the other end of the court. 

Where Newell fits into Quin Snyder’s game plan for the Hawks this season is likely a moderate role off the bench, as the team has a logjam at the forward position with Onyeka Okongwu, Zaccharie Risacher, and Jalen Johnson all commanding starters' minutes or at the very least a sixth-man role.

With his ability to play either big man position and the Hawks' frontcourt depth, look for Snyder to take his time with the rookie, giving him between 18-20 minutes of floor time, which could amount to averaging 8-10 points and 5-6 rebounds with a few defensive stats each night.

While most rookies want to shine in their first season (and rightfully so), the Hawks didn’t necessarily draft Newell for this season, but more as a foundational piece for the future.