Austin Wiley’s basketball future will take him away from his home state.

The 6-foot-11 Auburn commit will transfer to a prep school in Florida for his senior season, his mother, Vickie Orr Wiley confirmed to AL.com today, although she declined to identify his new school. He has played the last three seasons at helping the Jaguars advance to the Class 7A semifinals last season.

North All-Star Austin Wiley, of Spain Park, shoots on Wednesday, July 20, 2016, during the AHSAA all-star basketball game in Montgomery. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

“Trust me, it was not an easy decision,” Vickie Wiley said. “Austin is a kid who loved Spain Park and his teammates. At some point, for him to stay on this path, we as a family saw a need to help him step up and do the right things so he can be successful.

“We’re really looking forward to this next step,” she added. “We truly feel like this is best for him.”

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Wiley played on the USA Basketball U17 world championship team in Spain this summer, playing alongside many of the nation's top prospects. A 5-star prospect, Austin Wiley is ranked as the 18th-best prospect nationally, according to 247sports Composite, in the Class of 2017.

In what will apparently be is final high school game in Alabama, he scored 30 points in the AHSAA summer all-star game last month in Montgomery.

Vickie Wiley said her son is “interviewed out” after his international experience, essentially declining AL.com’s interview request on her son’s behalf.

A number of basketball academies have sprung up around the country in recent years, including Montverde Academy in Florida and Findlay Prep in Nevada. Instead of competing as part of a state association and chasing a state title, the programs often play a national schedule, which allows them to barnstorm instead of playing a traditional high school schedule.

In addition, prep school teams can offer year-round instruction because coaches aren’t restrained by rules from a high school association. In Alabama, for instance, AHSAA rules prevent basketball practice until mid-October.

That’s why many of the nation’s best high school players have begun flocking to prep schools instead of remaining in traditional high school programs. Ben Simmons, the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, played at Montverde (Fla.).

Spain Park coach Donnie Quinn said he understands the Wiley family’s decision, even as he expressed disappointment at losing his 6-foot-11 star.

“It’s now, ‘How do I improve myself for the next level as fast as I can?’ Quinn said. “I understand it’s a family decision, and they want to do what’s best for their child. It’s been a great blessing to coach him. … We’re going to support him no matter what he does.”

Vickie Wiley said the decision to transfer will help her some become “even more ready for the next level.”

“They’ve done a great job with him at Spain Park, and we love them,” she said.

Trendon Watford -- one of the nation's top recruits in the Class of 2019 -- said he'll miss playing against Wiley.

"I don't disagree with the decision if it's best for him and his future career," Watford told AL.com, and it was fun playing against him all three times last year. I wish him the best of luck as he continues his career."

Austin Wiley is the son of former Auburn players Aubrey Wiley and Vickie Orr Wiley. His mother was a three-time All-American at Auburn, a member of the 1992 U.S. women's Olympic team and is a member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. Aubrey Wiley, now coaching at Lawson State Community College, averaged 11.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game during the 1993-94 season at Auburn.

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AL.com reporter Gary Estwick contributed to this report.