Point guard Emmanuel Mudiay will play in China during the upcoming season, a source told ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman, confirming reports from multiple media outlets.

Mudiay, who had committed to play at SMU over Kentucky and Kansas, will instead sign a one-year deal worth more than $1 million.

"He'll be able to athletically overwhelm other players in China, but the key with him will be socially," a coach who was previously in China told ESPN.com. "That won't be easy."

The 6-foot-5 Mudiay, who before this decision was considered a one-and-done possibility at SMU and also a potential No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, is concerned about amateurism issues and not academics or financial stability, a source told ESPN.com. SMU had accepted Mudiay academically.

"The NCAA is on him," the source said. "And he's worried."

Mudiay was ranked No. 5 in the nation by ESPN.