Kobe Paras wants more than a basketball career

Kobe Paras, son of two-time PBA Most Valuable Player Benjie Paras, is once more hugging the news and getting praises.

But the 6-foot-six former Batang Gilas Pilipinas national team member wants to have more than a basketball career.

The Los Angeles Times reported that the young Paras accepted the scholarship offer of the prestigious University of California Los Angeles, home to the UCLA Bruins where all-time basketball scoring leader Kareem Abdul Jabbar came from.

The 6-foot-six Paras said he is happy with his scholarship.

“It’s been a great experience coming from the Philippines. It’s really a big move for me and I’m just doing what I do best especially with this program helping me,” he told an interview with the LA Times, portions of which were aired on Startalk.

Kobe impressed his mentors at the LA Cathedral school as well as a number of basketball scouts for his outside shots and leaping ability.

The young Paras got national and international attention when he dunked over NBA star Lebron James during an exhibition game in Manila last year.

“I just wanna be known for something else instead of that. I just wanna do better in my education and my basketball here,” he said. - RB