Under Armour lands China-bound top prospect Emmanuel Mudiay

Emmanuel Mudiay's decision to forgo a season in the NCAA and go directly to the pros internationally continues to bear fruit.

Two months after signing a reported one-year, $1.2-million deal with Guangdong in the Chinese Basketball Association, the former Southern Methodist University recruit has caught on with Under Armour, the company announced on Tuesday.

This is notable for several parties involved. For Mudiay, it further supports his decision to make money immediately, and it should help to build his brand globally ahead of the 2015 NBA Draft. For Under Armour, it's a hot name and a player likely to be one of the most popular in the CBA, affording the company a local basketball advantage that Nike and adidas can't replicate.

For the NCAA, however, it's another indication that college ball isn't necessarily the only viable path after high school. While Mudiay is taking on a lot of risk, in terms of his education and his eventual NBA stock, the dollar figures may resonate with prospects in future years.

[Dap EOCB]