5 potential landing spots for 5-star prospect Mitchell Robinson

2. Playing professionally overseas

Given that Mitchell Robinson can’t play professionally in the United States this year, one option could see him head overseas to collect a paycheck, improve his game and prepare for the 2018 NBA Draft. Several other prospects, including Brandon Jennings, Emmanuel Mudiay and Terrance Ferguson, have traveled this path already, often spurred by concerns about their NCAA eligibility. Interestingly, Robinson would become the first big man to make the jump since Jeremy Tyler decided to forgo both his final season of high school hoops and his freshman season of college basketball back in 2009.

ESPN’s Jeff Goodman has previously reported that playing overseas is an option for Robinson, especially given that it is unclear the NCAA would be willing to grant him a waiver to play this season. Remember, because the 7-footer enrolled and practice with Western Kentucky, he will likely need to transfer and sit out a year without that waiver.

Playing overseas would obviously provide Robinson with the benefit of making some income this season, but it hasn’t exactly been a boon to the draft stock of those prospects who have done it before. Mudiay was viewed as a top three recruit in the country prior to spending a season in China before being drafted seventh in the NBA Draft while Ferguson began his year overseas as a lottery candidate before being drafted 21st by the Oklahoma City Thunder.