OVER the last three years, young basketball star Kobe Paras has been consistently groomed to be the Philippines’ next big thing.
Is he a step closer to making it big in his basketball career in the United States?
Flaunting a versatile game, a favorable size and length, a relentless will, a huge upside and potential, and an undeniable talent, Paras has been highly touted ever since his stint in La Salle Greenhills here in the Philippines, to his playing days with Cathedral High and Middlebrooks Academy in Los Angeles, all the way to where is bound now.
Paras’ career as a basketball player reached a high point when he won the FIBA 3×3 World Championships Slam Dunk Championship at the Merdeka Square in Jakarta, Indonesia in September last year, beating USA’s Demonte Flannigan and Spain’s Antonio Morales in the finals.
The son of Filipino cage great Benjie Paras, the PBA’s only MVP-Rookie of the Year in the same year, Kobe scored a perfect 30 points on his first three dunks in the championship round and finished with a total of 117 points.
His scintillating performance included dunking over a parked motorcycle on the court with teammate Kiefer Ravena, UAAP Juniors’ MVP, seated on the bike, and then a one-handed tomahawk slam off four people.
After Paras’ well-documented shattered dreams of playing for the University of California, Los Angeles Bruins, one of the best basketball programs in the United States, the 18-year-old prospect had already moved forward as he immediately found a home to play in Creighton University, still a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I school.
Moving from California to Nebraska, from the Pac-12 to the Big East, might be a blessing in disguise for Paras as he will now have a fair chance of making a name for himself as he fights to be a top guy for the Creighton Bluejays under coach Greg McDermott, father of Chicago Bulls forward Doug McDermott.
“I would gladly want to announce that I’m taking my talents to Omaha, Nebraska,” said Paras of his move.
The Bluejays have produced several NBA players like Paul Silas, Benoit Benjamin, Anthony Tolliver, Kyle Korver, and recently, McDermott.
Paras certainly hopes that he can become one of those who can make it all the way to the NBA.
With this opportunity, Paras looks to impress NBA scouts with his play ahead for the Bluejays and also contribute to the team as much as he can.
He is eligible to play for Creighton for four full years.
Clearly, Paras’ journey is about to reach its climax with only one ultimate destination—the NBA.