Mitchell Robinson commits to Western Kentucky

Well, Mitchell Robinson may end up in Kentucky after all.

It wasn't long ago that the 2017 center was surging up the recruiting rankings and stressing his desire for a scholarship offer from UK. As big-time of a prospect he's become at a position UK likely needs to add 1-2 bodies at next year, it seems like John Calipari would at least show interest as time wore on.

That time may have come and gone after Robinson committed to Western Kentucky on Wednesday, according to CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein:

BREAKING: Five-Star 2017 big man Mitchell Robinson told @CBSSports that he has committed to Western Kentucky. Huge get for Rick Stansbury.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) June 29, 2016

It looks like new Hilltoppers head coach Rick Stansbury.is doing pretty well with his new job after being an assistant at Texas A&M. That's where Stansbury helped originally get Robinson to commit, but the five-star center backed off that pledge not long after Stansbury left.

Rivals.com has Robinson ranked 11th overall in 2017, while ESPN has him 15th. 247 has him ranked sixth overall and the No. 1 center in 2017. That's the kind of talent he has, but relationships like the one he has with Stansbury can lead even the best prospects end up committing to a less-heralded school like WKU.

There's also former five-star guard Malik Newman, who is transferring from Mississippi State (where Stansbury once coached), and visited Western Kentucky recently. The thought of him and Robinson on the same team is palpable buzz-worthy

Still, it will be hard keeping Robinson's commitment as more big-time programs come after him. It doesn't look as though UK will be among them.