Georgia forward Asa Newell is generating significant first-round interest ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-11 freshman consistently draws comparisons to two-time champion Chris Bosh, and his versatile skill set impresses scouts.
Newell’s family has played a pivotal role in his rise to the top of the draft boards, and he has vowed to give them a better life through his career. So, let’s get to know his parents in detail and explore how they influenced his upbringing.
Meet Asa Newell’s Parents, Justin Newell and Carmen Mitchell-Newell
Newell was born on October 05, 2005, in Atlanta to parents Justin and Carmen Mitchell-Newell. However, his family moved to Athens, Georgia, when he was a toddler, as his grandmother, Jacqueline Mitchell, worked as an administrative assistant in the University of Georgia president’s office for 15 years.
Newell, along with his brother Jaden, attended an on-campus preschool across the street from the Stegeman Coliseum, where their father believes “the first seed” of basketball was planted in them. Both Newell brothers would eventually end up playing for the Georgia Bulldogs, and while the younger Newell is now an NBA hopeful, Jaden is entering his third year of college basketball.
While information about Carmen’s professional life isn’t available in the public domain, Justin runs his own gym and is proud of his son’s achievements.
“I was so proud of him and the way he performed,” he said when Newell and Cooper Flagg participated in the Nike Hoop Summit as a part of Team USA. “We were actually able to attend that game — a lot of the USA stuff we weren’t able to attend — so that was really my first time watching him play live in a USA jersey.”
View this post on Instagram
And after seeing Newell perform in NBA arenas, Justin felt his son belonged there.
“It looked very natural to me for him to be on those courts,” Justin said. “I envision him there. I know he’s gonna end up there, God-willing. He seemed like he belonged there. I felt like the court was big enough for him.”
Seeing his parents happy isn’t the only reason Newell strives for success. He aspires to give them a better life, and with a first-round contract nearly guaranteed, it won’t take him much time to do that.
“I just really wanted to help provide for them,” Asa said. “They just help me so much. They’re so precious to me ’cause I want it just as bad for me as I want it just as bad for them to have a better life.”
Newell’s size, shooting, and defensive versatility have impressed scouts nationwide. He averaged 15.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in his freshman campaign while helping Georgia reach its first NCAA Tournament since 2015, the very reason he chose the Bulldogs in the first place.
