We look back on Skylar’s year overseas, exploring how a postgraduate opportunity in the UK enabled him to continue his basketball career, earn an MBA and experience a new way of life after graduation.
For many US student-athletes, graduation marks the end of a chapter they aren’t quite ready to close.
After years of competing at the collegiate level, the prospect of not playing anymore can be a difficult reality to accept. But for a growing number of former NCAA and NAIA athletes, there is another option.
Every year, Play Overseas helps graduates continue competing while pursuing a master’s degree in the UK. Combining world-class education with the opportunity to play for another season, the experience offers much more than just an extra year of eligibility. It provides the chance to travel, experience a new culture, earn a postgraduate qualification and create memories that last a lifetime.
One athlete who embraced that opportunity this year was Skylar Robinson.
Meet Skylar Robinson
- Graduated from University of California, Merced in 2024
- Received a full-ride postgraduate scholarship from UWE Bristol to study and play basketball
- Arrived in the UK in Fall 2025
From California to the UK
A 6’8″ forward from San Ramon, California, Skylar Robinson built an impressive collegiate basketball résumé across multiple programs in the United States.
He began his college basketball journey at Chabot College, where he played two seasons either side of the pandemic, before transferring to Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) for his junior year and later spending his final collegiate season at the University of California, Merced.
Having appeared in more than 100 collegiate games throughout his career, Skylar graduated in Fall 2024 and began looking beyond the traditional pathway, exploring opportunities that would allow him to combine postgraduate study with another season of competitive basketball.
“Play Overseas helped me find the perfect balance of academics and athletics. They supported me through every step and connected me with a university that truly fit all my goals. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to travel, continue my education, and expand on my athletic career all at the same time.”
Making an Impact on the Court
Working closely with Play Overseas, he was introduced to a number of universities across the UK, each offering a different combination of academic programmes, scholarship opportunities and basketball environments.
Ultimately, he accepted a full tuition scholarship at UWE Bristol, an opportunity that allowed him to pursue an MBA while competing both for the university and within the wider British basketball system.
Alongside representing UWE Bristol in BUCS (the UK equivalent of the NCAA), Skylar was also able to play for the Bristol Hurricanes in the British Championship Basketball League.
This dual-performance pathway is offered by many UK universities through partnerships with national clubs, giving postgraduate student-athletes like Skylar the opportunity to train and compete in two high-performance environments while enjoying a longer and more competitive playing season.
Watch highlights from Skylar’s postgraduate season, from competing for UWE Bristol in BUCS to making an impact in the British Championship Basketball League with the Bristol Hurricanes.
One Year. One Master’s Degree. Countless Memories.
While it may have been basketball that brought Skylar to the UK, his postgraduate year overseas has been about much more than what happened on the court.
One of the biggest advantages of pursuing a master’s degree abroad is the opportunity to experience life in a completely new environment. From exploring historic cities and travelling across Europe to meeting people from around the world, Skylar was able to make the most of everything that comes with living and studying overseas.
For many former college athletes, this combination of education, travel and competition is what makes the opportunity so unique. The chance to continue playing the sport you love while earning a postgraduate degree and experiencing new cultures creates a year unlike any other.
“Play Overseas supported me through it all. From connecting me with coaches and university staff to answering every question I had about accommodations, finances, and more. We communicated mainly through DM, email, and Zoom, and they were always quick to respond.”
Finding the Right Fit With Play Overseas
Working closely with Play Overseas, he was introduced to a number of universities across the UK, each offering a different combination of academic programmes, scholarship opportunities and basketball environments.
With interest coming from multiple universities, we helped Skylar to:
Discover UK University Options
Connect with University Coaches and Staff
Identify Scholarship Opportunities
Navigate Postgraduate Applications
Understand the UK Student Visa Process
From helping him secure a full-ride scholarship to guiding him through the recruitment process and his eventual arrival in the UK, Play Overseas supported Skylar every step of the way, helping him find the opportunity that best aligned with his academic, athletic and personal goals.
“I highly recommend Play Overseas to any student-athlete looking to continue their journey abroad. They genuinely care about finding the right fit for you and work hard to make it happen.”
Ready for Your Own Overseas Journey?
From competing at a high level and earning his MBA to travelling internationally and experiencing life abroad, Skylar’s journey demonstrates what is possible when student-athletes choose to continue their careers overseas.
If you’re interested in playing another season while pursuing a master’s degree and experiencing life in a new country, we’re here to help.
We offer a FREE service, helping former student-athletes identify scholarship opportunities, connect with coaches and find universities that match their academic and athletic goals.
Start exploring your options today!
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