A New Generation of Bulldogs
The echo of cheering crowds in Athens has given way to the hum of basketball arenas across the globe, as a cadre of former Georgia Bulldogs gear up for the next phase of their careers.
Kentavious Caldwell‑Pope, the 2013 SEC Player of the Year, has signed a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers and will report to the team’s training camp in September, joining a roster that already features LeBron James.
Caldwell‑Pope, a veteran of 14 NBA seasons and seven different franchises, is chasing a third championship ring after capturing titles with the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets, a pursuit that adds a narrative of redemption to his already storied career.
Nicolas Claxton, the 31st overall pick in 2019, recently completed a trade that sent him to the Chicago Bulls after four productive years with the Brooklyn Nets, where he amassed 4,024 points and 611 blocks while shooting a career 62.2 percent from the field.
Anthony Edwards, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2020 draft, is entering his seventh season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, a stretch that has seen the team reach the playoffs five times and has positioned him as a four‑time NBA All‑Star and 2024 Olympic gold‑medalist.
Asa Newell, drafted 23rd in the 2025 NBA Draft, is preparing for his sophomore campaign with the Atlanta Hawks, having already logged 44 games as a rookie and now aiming to expand his role in a backcourt that includes Trae Young.
Beyond the NBA, former Bulldogs have spread their wings to professional leagues in Finland, Portugal, Georgia, Japan, Italy, Belgium, Colombia, the United Kingdom and Taiwan for the 2026‑27 season, underscoring the global reach of Georgia’s basketball pipeline.
Among the additional alumni who turned professional last year are Tyree Crump, Nemi Djurisic, Savo Drezgić, Rayshaun Hammonds, Tyrin Lawrence, Gerald Robinson and Terrance Woodbury, each carving out overseas stints that keep the Bulldog brand competitive on the world stage.