NCAA Basketball: 10 biggest recruiting battles to watch for 2024 class

7. Asa Newell – No. 17 overall prospect

Recruiting battle: Alabama vs Georgia vs Gonzaga vs Indiana

Newell is a 6’9 power forward from Florida that is one of the most athletic players in the entire class. He has great measurables, is still very young at 17 years old, and already projects as being a good defender but on the ball and on the help side.

At this point in the recruiting calendar, this is a rare top prospect without a confirmed list of options. But it’s split down into two groups of genuine contenders. The first is Georgia and Indiana, two programs that have been after Newell for the longest. Coach Mike White, who still has ties to Florida during his time with the Gators, could use that big splash to keep up in the SEC arms race.

Indiana is definitely a team to watch, though its frontcourt situation has to be worked out. Five-star freshman Mackenzie Mgbako is a combo forward, while the projected starting frontcourt is Malik Reneau and Kel’el Ware, two sophomores that are former five-star recruits themselves. So unless 1 or 2 are guaranteed to depart, it’d be too crowded a situation for Newell.

Two teams that have emerged as of late are Gonzaga, who Newell recently visited, and Alabama, who could be looking for a replacement for North Dakota State transfer Grant Nelson if he’s only around for a season. This is a recruitment to watch closely to see if this ends up being his final list or if one can simply become the true favorite.