Georgia basketball power forward Asa Newell entered his name into the 2025 NBA Draft and is being projected as a middle- to late-first round pick by several outlets’ mock drafts.

The 6-foot-11, 220-pound Bulldog freshman helped Georgia make the NCAA Tournament for the first time in a decade. Selected four times as SEC Freshman of the Week, matching Anthony Edwards’ school record, he averaged 15.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. The freshman started all 33 games, shooting 54.3% in the field, 29.2% beyond the arc and 74.8% at the charity stripe.

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Newell would be the 41st overall player from Georgia basketball to go to the NBA, with the most recent being Anthony Edwards in 2020. Of the 40 total, there have only been seven drafted since 2000. The highest pick to come off the court at Stegeman Coliseum is Edwards, who went No. 1 overall.

Here’s what you need to know about the Montverde Academy product ahead of the NBA Draft, which is slated for Wednesday and Thursday, June 25 and 26.

Georgia basketball PF Asa NewellMock draft high: Round 1 (No. 18 overall) to Washington Wizards (Yahoo)

The Wizards acquired this pick from Memphis and offer plenty of minutes for a young talent like Newell to develop discipline. He has the energy to boost their backcourt defense and be a good pair to power forward Alex Sarr with how often he’s slamming lobs and swatting shots, Yahoo senior analyst Kevin O’Connor said.

Mock draft low: Round 1 (No. 25 overall) to Orlando Magic (CBS)

The Magic acquired this pick from Denver. Newell’s length and shooting from the field would blend seamlessly into Orlando’s roster, CBS’s Kyle Boone said. Not to mention, again, he’s a lob threat and shot blocker with springs for feet that provide dynamic activity above the rim.

The buzz

Asa Newell, who was compared to Trayce Jackson Davis by the NBA Draft Room, was originally mocked as a lottery pick, but with that over, he’s moved up to going in the middle of — or late — in the first round. Newell is agile, long and fast, sporting an NBA-level frame at 19-years-old. He’s a strong dunker with improving shooting, lockdown rim protection and smooth, fluid mechanics. He has untapped ability that’s already showing signs and will reveal itself more with time and maturation.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Mock drafts have Georgia basketball’s Asa Newell going in first round