Under Armour Makes Big Bet on Next NBA Superstar Emmanuel Mudiay

In some 2015 NBA draft projections, point guard Emmanuel Mudiay is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick.

Forgoing the college route, the 18-year-old Mudiay will play the next season in China for the Guangdong Southern Tigers, earning $1.2 million this year.

On Tuesday, Under Armour announced a partnership with the Dallas talent, adding Mudiay to their stable of NBA stars that includes Kemba Walker, Steph Curry and Brandon Jennings.

Although financial details of the agreement weren't disclosed, Under Armour characterized it as a "full partnership," including footwear, training gear and more.

According to 247Sports, Mudiay is the No. 1 point guard in the Class of 2014 and the No. 2 overall recruit behind Duke-bound center Jahlil Okafor.

The highly coveted recruit from Prime Prep in Dallas originally committed to NBA legend Larry Brown and the SMU Mustangs. He later changed his mind, opting to follow in the footsteps of Brandon Jennings, who also played basketball overseas instead of college ball.

Jennings played in Italy for Lottomatica Roma. Mudiay is thus creating a new path, preparing for the NBA in China instead of college as a teenager.

Mudiay was born in Kinshasa, Zaire (later renamed the Democratic Republic of the Congo) to Jean-Paul Mudiay and Therese Kabeya. His father died when Mudiay was a young child, and then in 2001, Therese escaped the DRC with her three boys as their home became ravaged by civil war.

Bleacher Report received an exclusive interview with Mudiay and Under Armour executives to discuss the deal. Find out what it means to the sporting goods giant, Mudiay and his family in this video.