GEORGIA Bulldogs big man Asa Newell boasts remarkable athletic traits at the power forward position, and although some of his skills are still in the developmental phase, he certainly has the blueprint of an NBA talent.

Newell is a talented inside scorer with excellent defensive traits, and is a consistent contributor whenever on the floor, as he demonstrated with the Bulldogs this season. He runs the floor very well and is quite mobile for his size at six-foot-11. He looks like a safe bet in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft, and should be able to contribute early on in his career.

In order to take the jump to stardom, there is still room for improvement in Newell’s offensive game, given his lack of a jumpshot and predictability in inside scoring. However, he seems to have a high floor as a prospect, and will certainly be of value at the top level.

Throughout the 2024/25 NCAA season, Newell posted numbers of 15.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 0.9 steals, a steal and a block per game on 54.3 per cent shooting from the field, making an impact as an inside scorer, rebounder and defender.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will run through some of the clearest comparisons to already established NBA talents, with Newell drawing comparisons to some valuable forwards in the NBA at the moment.

Brandon Clarke – Memphis Grizzlies

Clarke has been a solid piece for the Grizzlies, boasting a high motor and strong inside scoring capabilities throughout his career. After being selected 21st overall in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder and then being immediately traded to the Grizzlies, he was named to the All-Rookie First Team, and has been a reliable piece for Memphis, proving a consistent double-digit scorer off the bench. Although injuries have derailed his production over the past two years, there is no denying his value to Memphis since joining, and Newell will be eager to be just as valuable. Both players are gifted inside scorers, rock-solid rebounders and move extremely well up and down the floor, meaning there is certainly a role for Newell at the top level on a winning team.

Jonathan Isaac – Orlando Magic

Newell’s size, defensive impact and potential to thrive as an inside scorer sees him look an awful lot like Isaac, who is still contributing for the Magic a decade after being drafted. Isaac was picked up by Orlando with the sixth overall selection at the 2015 NBA Draft, but has been dealt a cruel hand with injuries over the course of his career. A highly touted defender who had potential to develop on the offensive end, Isaac’s talent was undeniable in the first couple of years of his career, as he loomed as one of the best overall defenders in the NBA. Despite the injuries, he has still found a role for himself off the bench for the Magic. Isaac’s defensive traits were clearly stronger, but Newell has a higher potential as an inside scorer. Overall, the players are a similar build and play with similar styles.

Jabari Walker – Portland Trail Blazers

The most recent draftee on this list, Walker is starting to come into his own at NBA level, and looms as a steal for the Trail Blazers, given how late they grabbed him. He was drafted with the 57th selection of the 2022 NBA Draft, after emerging as a prospect with the Colorado Buffaloes. Like Newell, he is a strong forward who can play the five in backup minutes if needed, and Walker has certainly developed during his time with the Trail Blazers, although his opportunities dropped this season. His most productive campaign came in his second season, where he thrived with inside scoring, and averaged 8.9 points and 7.1 rebounds across 72 games. Both players are at their best when scoring the ball inside, and are reliable rebounders and defenders, although Newell will likely be selected much higher in the coming months.