Mitchell Robinson to Western Kentucky: Hilltoppers Land 5-Star Center Prospect

Western Kentucky's frontcourt just received a huge asset. On Wednesday, 5-star center Mitchell Robinson told CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein he's committed to the school.

Per 247Sports' composite rankings, Robinson is the No. 1 center in the nation and the No. 9 overall prospect in the class of 2017. He is also the No. 2 player in his home state of Louisiana. 

This is such a win for Western Kentucky that WKUInsider.com's Jody Demling called Robinson "the biggest recruit ever" for the program. 

With such a high rating, Robinson had attention from larger schools, including North Carolina, Texas A&M and LSU, per 247Sports. That makes his decision to go to Western Kentucky—a Conference USA team that has gone to the NCAA tournament four times in the past 13 years—surprising. 

Regardless, this 7-footer is an athletic center who can not only dominate down low with his superior blocking ability, but he can add a defensive presence away from the basket as well because of his speed:

He has a solid pair of hands that will help when it comes to rebounding and catching the ball in the post, which will make him a nightmare under the basket. 

Robinson will have to work on his strength and his offensive game down low. At 200 pounds, there's a possibility heavier, more physical big men around the NCAA could bully him. But that shouldn't be a major concern with his intangibles. 

By the time he arrives at Western Kentucky for the 2017-18 season, the Hilltoppers will have just lost big men Anton Waters, Ben Lawson and Phabian Glasco to graduation, which means Robinson could step in and start immediately. 

If Robinson lives up to his ratings and the hype, then Western Kentucky will be a team college basketball fans will be seeing on the big stage in a couple of years. 

Stats courtesy of Sports-Reference.com. 

Star ranking courtesy of 247Sports.