By ADAM ZAGORIA
UNION, N.J. — Asa Newell, No. 1-ranked power forward in the Class of 2024 from Montverde (FL) Academy, has several high-major schools in hot pursuit.
After he went for 10 points and 9 boards as Montverde routed Link Prep (MO), 84-58, Friday night at the Metro Classic at Kean University, the 6-foot-9 Newell broke down his recruitment.
He mentioned that Georgia, Indiana, Florida, Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, LSU and Texas are all working hard in his recruitment.
He broke down his top schools. Georgia: “[Assistant] Erik Pastrana was one of my Day Ones. He was the first one to offer me when he was at Oklahoma State. And my brother [Jaden Newell] being at Georgia.” Indiana: “It’s a basketball school, the fan love is crazy. Coach [Kenya Hunter] has been doing a fantastic job recruiting me.” Florida: “Coach [Todd] Golden’s energy. Him being a new young coach at Florida, he’s doing a fantastic job, taking down Tennessee the other day. Great win.” Auburn: “They’ve been calling me, coach [Ira] Bowman. He called me the other day. They were talking about how they really want me.” Alabama: “Coach Nate [Oats] called me [Thursday] night. He was talking about they take guys like me and take me to the next level, and how they want to use me in their system.” Arkansas: “They have been telling me that they want me bad. taking a player like me , and having a team around me.” LSU: “LSU has shown interest but I haven’t been talking to the coaches.” Texas: “The whole situation is kind of fuzzy, and everything. Is [Rodney Terry] going to get re-hired next year or are they going to bring in a new coach. But Coach Brandon [Chappell], he’s one of the assistant coaches and they said they’re all in on me. No matter who the coach is, I’m very high on their list.” As for the win over Link Prep, Newell said the Eagles came out with a purpose after being tabbed as underdogs on social media. “We had to come out with a lot of energy,” he said. “They had us as the underdogs tonight… so we just had to show them really.” Photo: On3 Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram And Like ZAGS on Facebook4 ⭐️ Asa Newell (no. 23 ESPN 60) protecting the rim 👀 It’s a block party in Florida‼️ @MVABasketball @NewellAsa @PaulBiancardi pic.twitter.com/2vXAVNtglU
— NIBC (@NIBCOfficial) December 4, 2022
