With less than a month until the 2025 NBA Draft begins in Brooklyn, New York, prospects are going through the annual carwash of press appearances. One common link between two athletes, though, made headlines.
After Duke superstar Cooper Flagg praised his former high school coach at Monteverde Academy in Florida, Kevin Boyle, as the greatest high school coach ever, Georgia’s Asa Newell, a preps teammate of Flagg, revealed how the coach’s philosophy transformed his game. The 6’11” forward credited Boyle’s specific coaching approach for his progress.
NBA Draft Prospect Asa Newell Reveals HS Coach’s “Motor” Philosophy
In a recent interview, Georgia Bulldogs NBA Draft prospect Asa Newell described his game as playing “extremely hard, floor spacing, guarding multiple positions, and rebounding.” When asked when he started to love those aspects of basketball, Newell pointed directly to his high school experience under Kevin Boyle’s guidance at Montverde Academy (FL).
“Montverde prepared me…” 🏀
Listen to Asa Newell on The Sideline – full episode in bio 🎧@TheAndyKatz @UGAAthletics @UGABasketball @MarchMadnessMBB @CollHoopsChat @CBBonFOX pic.twitter.com/Ihw3CCbTiU
— Andy Katz (@SidelinewithAK) June 13, 2025
“In high school, when Coach Boyle just screamed out, ‘Motor, motor, motor!’ That’s just something I always continue to strive for, and it’s a very important piece of the game, especially for bigs,” Newell explained.
The Georgia freshman’s response reveals how Boyle’s “motor” philosophy directly influenced his current skill set.
“I play extremely hard. I’m a floor spacer, can guard and switch onto multiple positions, and I can rebound the ball,” Newell stated when asked about his playing style.
Newell joins former teammate Cooper Flagg in praising Boyle’s transformative coaching impact at Montverde Academy. Flagg previously said that “playing for Coach Boyle was a huge step in my basketball journey” and credited the coach’s belief and confidence for pushing his development.
From Montverde Academy to the NBA
During the interview, Newell demonstrated how Boyle’s teachings prepared him for transitions between competitive levels. “Montverde prepared me for Georgia, and I think Georgia prepared me for the NBA, and I feel like I’m a plug-and-play type of guy,” he explained about his adaptability.
Newell connected it directly to Boyle’s motor philosophy when asked to clarify what “plug and play” means. “That means I can probably fit in any single team and, you know, just try to help the team win,” showing how the work ethic translates to versatility.
Newell’s motor-driven approach has translated into impressive freshman statistics at Georgia, averaging 15.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game while shooting 54.3% from the field. His consistent production and versatility have caught NBA attention, with ESPN projecting him as the No. 21 pick in their latest mock draft.
Boyle’s philosophy continues to shape NBA draft prospects as former Montverde players credit his developmental approach. Newell’s disclosure reveals how Boyle’s emphasis on relentless energy creates the versatile, hard-working players that professional teams value most in today’s basketball landscape.
