When the Atlanta Hawks traded down in the 2025 NBA Draft and still landed Asa Newell at No. 13, it was a move that raised eyebrows-but in the best way. General Manager Onsi Saleh didn’t just get his guy-he got him ten picks later than expected. That’s the kind of draft-day finesse that front offices dream about.
And now, just 20 games into his rookie campaign, Newell is already proving why Atlanta was so high on him. He wasn’t expected to be a major rotation piece right away-the Hawks' frontcourt was already crowded-but injuries opened the door, and Newell has walked right through it.
What’s been most surprising, though, isn’t just that he’s holding his own. It’s how he’s doing it.
Let’s talk about the shooting. Because that has been a revelation.
Newell currently leads all NBA rookies in three-point percentage (minimum 20 attempts), hitting a staggering 51.4% from beyond the arc. That’s not just solid-it’s elite.
To put it in perspective, he’s outshooting some of the draft’s most heralded snipers, including Kon Kneuppel (41.4%), Liam McNeeley (41.3%), Tre Johnson (39.6%), and VJ Edgecombe (38.3%). All of those players came into the league with reputations as knockdown shooters.
Newell? Not so much.
The fact that he’s ahead of Kneuppel-Charlotte’s rookie who’s already made history as the fastest player ever to hit 100 threes-is especially eye-catching. Kneuppel was the guy everyone expected to torch defenses from deep.
Newell was supposed to be the versatile forward with upside. Now he’s both.
This kind of shooting leap wasn’t something many saw coming, especially if you looked at his lone season at Georgia. The tools were there-fluid mechanics, a smooth release, and the confidence to keep shooting-but the results didn’t always follow.
He shot just 29.2% on 2.7 attempts per game from three during the 2024-25 college season. That number didn’t scream "NBA sniper."
But it also didn’t tell the whole story.
What Newell did show in college was a mature, well-rounded game. He could get downhill, finish through contact, and defend multiple positions.
He was a big reason why Georgia made its first NCAA Tournament appearance in a decade. The outside shot was more of a long-term project-something to be developed, not relied upon right away.
Fast forward to now, and that project is ahead of schedule.
Credit Newell for putting in the work. His growth as a floor spacer has added a new wrinkle to Quin Snyder’s offense.
When he’s on the floor, defenses have to respect him on the perimeter, which opens up driving lanes and creates better spacing for Atlanta’s playmakers. It’s the kind of development that doesn’t just help Newell-it helps the entire team function more smoothly.
And with Kristaps Porzingis still sidelined due to illness, Newell’s minutes aren’t just a luxury-they’re a necessity. He’s earning every one of them, playing with poise and confidence that belies his age.
When he steps into a three now, there’s no hesitation. Just a clean release and, more often than not, a splash.
Atlanta didn’t draft Asa Newell for his shooting. But that’s quickly becoming one of his most dangerous weapons. And if he keeps this up, the Hawks might not just have gotten a steal-they might have found a future star.