Georgia basketball recruiting scores big, signs 5-star forward Asa Newell

ATHENS — Georgia basketball got the jump on the 2024 class with consensus 5-star prospect Asa Newell signing on Wednesday.

Newell is a 6-foot-10, 215-pounder who plays at national powerhouse Montverde Academy in Florida.

Only Anthony “Antman” Edwards (No. 4 in 2019) was a higher-ranked Georgia basketball prospect according to ESPN.com, which has Newell ranked No. 11 overall.

Bulldogs get commitment from Asa Newell

Newell played on USA National Teams the past two summers, competing in the 2022 Under-17 and 2023 Under-19 World Cups. Newell averaged averaged 5.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 2022 while helping the USA capture a Gold Medal in Malaga, Spain.

Last summer, Newell contributed 7.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and a team-high 2.3 blocks per game as the USA finished fourth at the U19 tournament in Debrecen, Hungary.

Newell was ranked No. 8 overall in the 247Sports composite rankings, while On3 rates him as the No. 2 power forward in this year’s senior class.

Newell’s older brother, Jaden, is currently a redshirt freshman for the Bulldogs.

Coach Mike White has signed five Top 100 players over the past two seasons, with Newell the highest rated.

The others:

• Blue Cain, No. 53 by On3

• Silas Demary Jr., No. 56 by Rivals.com

• Dylan James, No. 78 by 247Sports

• Mari Jordan, No. 87 by ESPN.com

The Bulldogs (0-1) play their home-opening game at 7 p.m. on Friday at Stegeman Coliseum against Wake Forest.