Jason Jordan

Oct 29, 2026, 02:32 PM ET

Powder Springs, Georgia, sits roughly 26 miles west of State Farm Arena, where Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries ' played Game 6 of the WNBA Finals in the heart of the vibrant city. But it seems like it's another country.

It's a diverse, family-oriented community where custom red-brick-lined sidewalks outline manicured lawns and winding roads serve up glorious old country town views where cows graze, deer prance and horses gallop in the brilliant abundance of prairies.

In the early 1800s, the area was a hotbed for gold seekers looking to hit the jackpot. That history is ironic on the overcast October Wednesday, since one lucky college basketball team is about to land its own pot of gold in the form of 6-foot-6 swingman Asa Montgomery .

"It's a big day," Montgomery says. "I'm excited for it. I'm just trying to figure out how I'm going to say everything."

It's just past 5:30 a.m.…