The Atlanta Hawks assigned Asa Newell to the G League for a game on Wednesday night, where he showed fans a glimpse of just how good he can be.
Newell dropped 29 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks in what was nothing short of a dominant performance against the Maine Celtics. While the UGA product has been a solid contributor to the big league squad, playing with the College Park Skyhawks allowed him to take on greater responsibility on both ends of the floor.
After winning the tip, the Skyhawks ran a post-up for Newell on their first play, who scored despite being double-teamed. The Skyhawks fed him the ball constantly, and in turn, the rookie showed a visible increase in confidence throughout the match.
In the first quarter, Newell hesitated before making decisions and shied away from contact. As the game went on, however, he was quick to attack. He shifted from a timid mindset to an aggressive one, relying on his instincts and talent to beat defenders and make the right decisions.
Newell can’t stick in the G League, but this was a valuable experience
On Thursday, the Hawks recalled Newell to the NBA squad. While he is too good for the G League – and his mere presence likely stunts potential growth from other players – games like this serve as a critical chance for the Hawks to instill good habits and confidence in their youngster.
Newell is facing a dilemma many NBA players experience upon entering the league. For the first time in his life, Newell isn’t a star.
He attended the prestigious Monteverde Academy in high school, where he thrived alongside Cooper Flagg and other future NBA talents. He then went to the University of Georgia and instantly became a star, starting and scoring 26 points in his collegiate debut. For comparison, Newell didn’t even play in his first game in the NBA.
Newell’s transition has been made even more difficult as the Hawks insist on deploying him at center, despite clearly not being cut out for such a role at this point.
By demoting Newell to the G League, they’re allowing him to flex his skills as an on-ball creator and scorer against an inferior level of competition. Jalen Johnson spent considerable time in College Park during his rookie season, allowing him to maintain his diverse skill set while developing physically and mentally. Perhaps Newell’s College Park service will be beneficial in the same way it was for Johnson.