Asa Newell Embraces Bigger Role in Second Hawks Training Camp

Asa Newell went through his second NBA training camp this week with the Atlanta Hawks at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. The 20-year-old forward spoke Thursday with Lauren Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, three days into camp.

Luguentz Dort, acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder in July, is among the new Hawks who have leaned on Newell on the sideline.

"It's more of just like, [I'm] more comfortable, and also I can help the new guys with the terminology," Newell said. "Like Lu [Dort] was asking a question on the sideline, I was able to tell him, and that's part of like, we're all trying to pick each other up.

"And it's just a lot of fun going into your second year," Newell continued. "You kind of know what's going on, and you're also trying to fight for whatever role that you want to have."

Atlanta landed Newell on draft night in 2025. The New Orleans Pelicans selected him 23rd overall and sent his rights to the Hawks, along with a 2026 first-round pick, for the rights to No. 13 pick Derik Queen. Newell had averaged 15.4 points and 6.9 rebounds in his lone season at Georgia, where he made the SEC All-Freshman team.

He split his rookie season between Atlanta and College Park, Georgia. Newell appeared in 44 games for the Hawks and started two, averaging 5.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 11.4 minutes. He shot 53.8 percent from the field and 38.7 percent from 3-point range on 1.7 attempts per game.

Much of the second half went to the College Park Skyhawks, Atlanta's G League affiliate. There, Newell averaged 22.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.6 blocks. He had nine 20-point games with the Skyhawks, topped by 36 points and seven rebounds on March 21.

He was back with Atlanta for the regular-season finale April 12 at Miami. With the Hawks resting their starters, Newell made his second career start and finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds in a 143-117 loss.

The grind of an 82-game season is where Nickeil Alexander-Walker sees what Newell brings.

"Asa has been huge," Alexander-Walker said Wednesday. "Like just being able to take the heart and bring it to the team, and bring life and laughter and joy. It's a long season, and you get tired. You start missing your family, and all the why's come into play. But I think moments like that make it worth it."

Alexander-Walker won the NBA's Most Improved Player award for 2025-26.

Practice puts Newell across from Jalen Johnson, an All-NBA Third Team pick last season.

"I feel like my defense has definitely picked it up a notch," Newell explained. "Guarding Jalen in practice, he's coming off DHOs [dribble handoffs]. He's coming off screens. He's doing whatever. So, when I'm guarding the best player on the floor, I feel like I can also learn from him.

"And there was a time where he beat me on a drive, and I was like, 'Hey, what did you see on here?'" Newell added. "And he was just giving me feedback."

Johnson averaged 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists in 72 games in 2025-26, his first All-Star season. His 13 triple-doubles set a Hawks franchise record.

Mouhamed Gueye fractured his left foot in a July 8 workout and had surgery July 14. The Hawks said then that he would be reevaluated in three to four months.

Other forwards in camp include Zuby Ejiofor, the 23rd pick in June, and Dorian Finney-Smith, whom Atlanta agreed to acquire from the Charlotte Hornets on Sept. 22. Finney-Smith, 33, has started 445 of his 628 career games.

Newell is not attaching conditions to whatever role comes.

"It's important to be a unit as a team, and to all just to have the same mindset," Newell said. "And my mindset is, I'm gonna do whatever it takes to help compete, to help the guys win, whatever role that I have and the opportunities that I get.

"So I just want to take advantage and just stay ready for the opportunities that I get," Newell noted.

Atlanta opens a five-game preseason schedule Monday against the Memphis Grizzlies at State Farm Arena. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET.