The Atlanta Hawks will come out of night one of the 2025 NBA Draft feeling very good about what they accomplished as the franchise not only added what will be one of its best assets moving forward but also managed to bring in a hometown hero as well.
After moving back from the No. 13 pick to No. 23 and picking up an unprotected 2026 first-round pick in the process, the Hawks added a player who can contribute to this year's roster. Considered one of the best prospects available at the time, Atlanta will be keeping a University of Georgia standout in the Peach State.
Atlanta Hawks Wrap Up Perfect Draft Night With Asa Newell Selection
Former Georgia Bulldogs standout Asa Newell is officially a member of the Hawks. Despite being snubbed from the 2024 McDonald's All-American Team, Newell was a member of the Montverde Academy roster that has been discussed as one of the top teams in prep school history.
This is a player who knows how to fit in around other talented stars, as that is part of the job description when playing for Montverde, and that should only help him make the transition from the SEC to the NBA.
In his lone season at Georgia, Newell started all 33 of the games he played in and showed the type of impact he can have on both ends of the floor by averaging 15.4 points and 6.9 rebounds in 29 minutes per game.
Adding Newell to the frontcourt alongside Jalen Johnson, Kristaps Porzingis, and Onyeka Okongwu should allow him to learn from established veterans and young players on the rise. That should only help his progress from a prospect to a player at the NBA level.
While there is still another round left to go, it seems safe to say that the Hawks will be among the big winners coming out of this year's draft.