Asa Newell
F, Georgia · 2025 NBA Draft, 1st round, pick #23 (IND)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Nothing in our pre-draft data flagged him as a steal: his age, school, testing and position profile looked like a typical pick in his range. The gap opened after the draft, on the field.
The 2025 class is only 1 season in, so this verdict can still change a lot.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #19 (#5 at his position), close to where he went (#23).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.8% of the time (765 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Age
19.7 years old on draft night (born 2005-10-05).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.7% of the time (300 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Path to the draft
Played college basketball at Georgia.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 53.2% of the time (1,015 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Position
F (ESPN draft listing).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.2% of the time (570 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 46 games over 2 NBA seasons (~28% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
Every line comes from data: Basketball-Reference career data; ESPN's draft profile; Wikidata birth dates. No scouting reports or quotes. Green = pointed toward a steal for him.
Career numberslive
| Seasons | 2 |
| Games | 46 |
| Minutes / game | 11.3 |
| Points / game | 5.1 |
| Rebounds / game | 2.2 |
| Assists / game | 0.6 |
| Win Shares (career) | 1.2 |
| VORP | 0.0 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -1.6 |
| 2026-27 so far | 1 GP, 3 PPG (ESPN) |
Career Win Shares + VORP (Basketball-Reference, through 2025-26) + 2026-27 estimates from ESPN season stats.
The 2025 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2025 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Pre-draft rankings Within 10 picks of ESPN's rank | 51.8% n=765 | |
| Age Under 20 | 51.7% n=300 | |
| Path to the draft US college | 53.2% n=1,015 | |
| Position Forward | 51.2% n=570 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 9", 224 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 19.7 |
| Born | 2005-10-05 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #19 overall (#5 F) |
Picked around him 2025 redraft
| 20 | Kasparas Jakučionis | redraft #9 |
| 21 | Will Riley | redraft #33 |
| 22 | Drake Powell | redraft #47 |
| 24 | Nique Clifford | redraft #53 |
| 25 | Jase Richardson | redraft #22 |
| 26 | Ben Saraf | redraft #54 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.