Dec 1, 2022; Montverde, Florida, USA; Montverde Academy guard Asa Newell (14) shoots over IMG Academy forward Jayden Hastings (13) during the first quarter of the Sunshine Classic basketball tournament at Mills Championship Court on the campus of Montverde Academy. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
The focus of episode No. 114 of The Scarlet Faithful podcast is the news that Rutgers men’s basketball offered 5-star Asa Newell on Tuesday. He is the No. 1 ranked power forward in the 2024 class and No. 10 recruit overall per 247 Sports composite rankings.
In this episode, I discuss several things in regard to the offer to Newell. New assistant coach Marlon Williamson is taking the lead in his recruitment and his potential impact as a recruiter for the program is an intriguing storyline.
Rutgers is getting into the mix later than usual for A recruit. However, doing so with Newell is a good sign that momentum is building. The perception of the program on the recruiting trail is changing for the better. National attention is increasing as Steve Pikiell works to land the top two recruits in the 2024 class. If Rutgers can ultimately land both No. 1 Dylan Harper and No. 2 Ace Bailey, a top ten recruit like Newell may have real interest in joining them. He played on Team USA with Harper at the U19 FIBA World Cup last month.
The balance of the 2024 class is important as well. Both 4-star commits Lathan Sommerville and Bryce Dortch serve as reasons to believe that Rutgers can sustain success in the long run. Continuing to excel in recruiting the 2025 class is important in the long term as well.
The bottom line is when a program like Rutgers becoming a national player if they land both Harper and Bailey, other doors open. Newell could be one that does.
Listen and watch to this episode below.
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