MANILA, Philippines - Youthful Kobe Paras sets out for a collegiate stint in the US NCAA Division I as he committed to the celebrated University of California LA (UCLA) Bruins.
“I have made my decision. I’m really happy to say that I have committed to UCLA!” Paras, son of PBA legend Benjie, posted on his Twitter account @Im_Not_Kobe Saturday night.
Known for his leaping ability, the 17-year-old Paras has caught the eyes of scouts and coaches as a junior at LA Cathedral High School under coach William Middlebrooks.
“I could touch the moon and the stars,” said the 6-foot-6 guard said in a video posted on the Facebook page of Middlebrooks Basketball. “It’s an unbelievable feeling, especially for a kid coming from the Philippines, a place that no one even knows about that much.”
The slam-dunking Paras received numerous offers from schools like UC Irvine, Fresno State, Texas Arlington, Arizona State, Portland State and Boston College, among others, but chose that of UCLA mentor Steve Alford.
“I am thankful that Coach Steve Alford is willing to take a chance on me,” Paras said in a statement from Cathedral posted on the LA Times.