Kobe Paras 'devastated' by UCLA disqualification

MANILA, Philippines – Basketball prospect Kobe Paras was reportedly devastated by the news that he did not meet the academic requirements of UCLA, the main reason for his withdrawal from the school’s men’s basketball team.

Speaking recently to Los Angeles-based ABS-CBN reporter Steve Angeles, Kobe’s father Benjie said his son broke down upon hearing the news, which caught them by surprise.

"It was really a surprise for us and of course Kobe was really devastated. I was talking to him, and honestly, he was crying,” the former PBA star said.

Meanwhile, Paras’ Cathedral High School coach William Middlebrooks also said they were shocked by the sudden twist.

"That was a shock to the entire athletic department. Our understanding was as long as he's a full qualifier academically, he'd be in school and for whatever reason, the head of admissions made a different decision. It was taken out of context. I think it came across strange to people. Various people interpret it the way they interpreted it but we don't know what the reason is. Even the principal has not talked to anybody at UCLA admissions so therefore whatever the reason is they chose to make this decision we don't have a fact to as why they made the decision," Angeles quoted Middlebrooks as saying.

Nevertheless, Paras’ high school coach remains optimistic about Kobe’s future, saying the high-leaping prospect is attracting interest from other NCAA Division 1 schools.

“[Kobe is] a hot commodity right now. We're just back to the drawing board about finding the right fit, the right opportunity; that they understand who Kobe is, what his game is all about, what he means to the Philippines," Middlebrooks continued.

The elder Paras, for his part, expressed the same optimism regarding his son’s basketball career.

“Don't worry. He's going to be ok. He's in good hands, Cathedral, Middlebrooks, they're one big family. They will help each other when someone becomes successful they will be happy for him and when someone's down they will help him get up. He's in good hands right now and for sure you will see him play again," said Benjie.

Kobe withdrew from the school last week after failing to meet academic conditions that were part of his admittance.

He had signed a national letter of intent with the Bruins during the early signing period last November. The 6-foot-5 guard spent the last two years in Los Angeles after growing up in the Philippines. He was a senior at Cathedral High School.

Paras helped lead the Philippines to a gold medal in the FIBA Asia Under-18 3x3 championship in May 2013. He won the slam dunk contest at the FIBA 3x3 championships in June 2015 while representing the Philippines. – With report from AP