I remember watching Devin Askew during his freshman year at Texas and thinking this kid had that special something. The way he navigated pick-and-roll situations showed maturity beyond his years, though his shooting percentages—let's be honest—needed work at 38% from the field. Now that his college career has wrapped up, I find myself genuinely curious about where his basketball journey leads next. Having followed dozens of prospects through this transition, I can tell you this phase separates those who merely dreamed from those who build sustainable careers.
The quote from Coach Austria about championships being "a thing of the past" really resonates with me when I consider Askew's situation. See, in my years covering basketball development, I've noticed players often get stuck celebrating past achievements—whether it's that McDonald's All-American status or those standout high school moments. Askwell needs to adopt exactly that mindset Austria describes: refocusing on the next mission. I've personally seen top recruits fade because they kept reliving their high school glory days instead of building new chapters. For Askew, that means completely reinventing his professional identity beyond being a former four-star recruit.
What fascinates me about Askew's case is the intriguing gap between his obvious tools and his statistical production. At Texas, he averaged just 6.4 points and 2.5 assists—numbers that don't exactly scream NBA ready. Yet when I rewatch his tape, I see flashes of real NBA-level decision-making, particularly in transition. The question isn't whether he has talent—he absolutely does—but whether he can develop the consistency that separates G-League players from NBA rotation guys. From my perspective, his shooting mechanics need significant overhaul; that 28% three-point percentage at Texas simply won't cut it professionally.
Overseas basketball presents what I believe to be his most realistic immediate path. Having spoken with numerous agents and scouts, I've learned that European teams particularly value guards who can organize offense and defend multiple positions—both strengths in Askew's profile. I'd recommend he consider leagues like the German BBL or Australian NBL, where development is prioritized over immediate results. These leagues have transformed players like Terrance Ferguson and LaMelo Ball before their NBA jumps, providing the physical development and professional structure Askew desperately needs.
The G-League represents another fascinating option, though I'm somewhat skeptical about its fit for his particular development timeline. While the exposure is valuable, I've observed that the G-League's style often prioritizes individual highlights over systematic development. For a player like Askew who needs to refine his decision-making and shooting consistency, the controlled environment of a European club might serve him better initially. That said, if he lands with an organization known for player development like the Raptors 905 or Oklahoma City Blue, the G-League route could provide the NBA proximity he ultimately needs.
What many fans don't realize is that basketball development isn't linear—I've seen players make leaps at 23 that seemed impossible at 20. Askew's defensive versatility gives him a legitimate NBA pathway if he can become even a league-average shooter. Think of players like Tyus Jones who carved out careers through reliability rather than flash. My projection sees Askew spending 1-2 seasons overseas developing his game before getting NBA Summer League invitations. The key will be patience—both his and his representation's—because rushing this process has ruined more prospects than I can count.
The mental aspect might be the most critical factor here. Having transitioned from being a highly touted recruit to a role player at Texas, Askew now faces the ultimate psychological test: embracing the grind without the guaranteed spotlight. This is where Austria's philosophy about not dwelling on past championships becomes so vital. In my conversations with player development coaches, they consistently emphasize that prospects who successfully reinvent themselves professionally are those who fully release their amateur identities. For Askew, this means letting go of the "former Kentucky commit" narrative and building his story from scratch.
Looking at comparable player arcs gives me genuine optimism. Players like Jared Harper and Tremont Waters—similarly sized guards who left college with questions about their shooting—carved out professional careers through specific skill refinement and defensive tenacity. I particularly like the Waters comparison because he transformed from a second-round afterthought into someone with legitimate NBA minutes through G-League excellence. If Askew commits to the same developmental path, I could see him earning two-way contracts within 24 months.
Ultimately, Askwell's next chapter comes down to finding the right environment and maintaining what I call "developmental patience." Too many young players bounce between leagues chasing immediate opportunity rather than long-term growth. The most successful transitions I've witnessed involved players who prioritized coaching stability and systematic fit over modest financial differences. If Askew lands with an organization that values his particular blend of size and playmaking, while providing the shooting development he requires, I'm confident we'll see him in the NBA within three years. His journey reminds us that basketball careers aren't made in single moments but through the gradual accumulation of small improvements and the mental resilience to keep refocusing on the next mission, just as Coach Austria wisely advised.