DALLAS (AP) — Prized SMU recruit Emmanuel Mudiay will pursue professional basketball opportunities overseas instead of playing for the Mustangs.

Coach Larry Brown said Monday that the decision by the 6-foot-5 McDonald’s All-American point guard was based on a “hardship issue” and not any academic issues for the incoming freshman.

The coach says Mudiay had already been admitted into SMU.

In a statement, Brown said Mudiay “really wants to alleviate some of the challenges his family faces and recognizes he has an opportunity to help them now.”

Mudiay averaged 16 points, six rebounds and four assists a game as a senior last season at Dallas Prime Prep Academy. He was considered by most as the nation’s top high-school point guard in the class of 2014.

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