WELCOME IN TO SPORTS, I’M AMY ZIMMER. A HOMECOMING FOR ATLANTA’S FIRST-ROUND PICK. ASA NEWELL OFFICIALLY INTRODUCED FRIDAY AS THE NEWEST HAWK. THE ATLANTA NATIVE AND FORMER GEORGIA BULLDOG CALLING IT A DREAM COME TRUE, SAYING HE FEELS LIKE HE’S LIVING IN A DISNEY MOVIE. NOW, HE’S READY TO GET TO WORK
From Athens to Atlanta: Asa Newell joins Hawks
Atlanta native and former Georgia Bulldog Asa Newell is staying home, selected by the Atlanta Hawks during the first round of the NBA Draft
Updated: 11:51 PM EDT Jun 27, 2025
Georgia forward Asa Newell, a native of Atlanta and a standout for the Bulldogs, has officially landed with the Atlanta Hawks following a draft-night trade.Newell was selected 23rd overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2025 NBA Draft on June 25, before being traded to the Hawks in exchange for the Pelicans’ 13th pick, Derik Queen, and a future first-round selection.Standing 6‑foot‑10, Newell impressed during his lone collegiate season at Georgia, averaging 15.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, one block and one steal per game over 33 starts. He shot 54.3% from the floor and earned a spot on the SEC All‑Freshman team.A lifelong Hawks fan, Newell expressed excitement about joining his hometown team. During his introductory press conference, he shared that point guard Trae Young was the first Hawk to call him after the selection.Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh praised Newell as “an unbelievable competitor” whose skill set, particularly as a screener and athlete, adds to the team’s culture of winning.Newell is the 40th Georgia Bulldog to be drafted into the NBA and the ninth to go in the first round, joining the ranks of Anthony Edwards, Dominique Wilkins and Kentavious Caldwell‑Pope.
ATLANTA —
Georgia forward Asa Newell, a native of Atlanta and a standout for the Bulldogs, has officially landed with the Atlanta Hawks following a draft-night trade.
Newell was selected 23rd overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2025 NBA Draft on June 25, before being traded to the Hawks in exchange for the Pelicans’ 13th pick, Derik Queen, and a future first-round selection.
Standing 6‑foot‑10, Newell impressed during his lone collegiate season at Georgia, averaging 15.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, one block and one steal per game over 33 starts. He shot 54.3% from the floor and earned a spot on the SEC All‑Freshman team.
A lifelong Hawks fan, Newell expressed excitement about joining his hometown team. During his introductory press conference, he shared that point guard Trae Young was the first Hawk to call him after the selection.
Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh praised Newell as “an unbelievable competitor” whose skill set, particularly as a screener and athlete, adds to the team’s culture of winning.
Newell is the 40th Georgia Bulldog to be drafted into the NBA and the ninth to go in the first round, joining the ranks of Anthony Edwards, Dominique Wilkins and Kentavious Caldwell‑Pope.