Kobe Paras to play at Staples Center

LOS ANGELES, California – Days before a special Staples Center showcase, UCLA-bound Kobe Paras continues to work hard on his game along with his teammates in the Los Angeles Purple Ghosts squad.

"I'm excited, because I've never played in a stadium. Hopefully I do good and my teammates will, too," said Paras. "And hopefully, we'll get a win."

The high school season will start in January, but for now Paras plays for the LA Purple Ghosts, an elite team of teens coached by his Cathedral High coach William Middlebrooks.

The year-round program includes other nationally and state-ranked players, and some of his teammates are also exchange students. Brazilian Lucas Siewart, for instance, plays for his national team as well.

"It's good, the competition is good. It's one of the things I like," Siewart said. "He's from another country too, so we feel the same things like being homesick and stuff, so we talk about it."

Paras is not the only Filipino either. Vicente Mojares and Carter Avery are two prodigies, while Jameel McGill is ranked as the 88th best high school prospect in California.

"It's great because during practice, they're always pushing me," said McGill.

"It's a great experience for me because it helps me get better, especially when I play against guys like Kobe," said Mojares.

Paras, who moved to Los Angeles earlier this year, admits that being surrounded by other foreign players and fellow Filipinos has helped his transition in the United States.

"It feels cool to have teammates like that, because the other teams, they don't have teammates that are ranked. Having teammates at the highest level is really cool. It means we can compete and be friends and teammates," he said.

Tickets to Monday's LA Purple Ghosts showcase game are still available.

While showcase games are a chance for players to catch recruiters' eyes, there's no need for the UCLA-bound Paras to impress them, having already committed to the Bruins. Nevertheless, he wants to put on a good show in his new home.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Exclusive: UCLA-bound Paras looks to keep improving

LOS ANGELES, California – Filipino basketball fans remember Benjie Paras, the "Tower of Power," as one of the best players in Philippine basketball. And now one of his sons is making his own mark – not just in the Philippines but in the United States.

Just three miles away from the Staples Center where Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers play, another Kobe is taking Los Angeles by storm.

Two years from now, 6-foot-6 Cathedral High School junior guard Kobe Paras will be playing collegiate basketball at the prestigious University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).

The son of the PBA legend, Kobe announced his decision to commit verbally to UCLA after several other universities also tried to recruit him.

"It was a really good experience, knowing I'm just a kid from the Philippines," said Kobe. "I didn't even know this was going to happen, so I just feel really lucky and blessed that I have this chance."

"That's UCLA, that's the biggest here in California, so I just wanted to commit. Ever since I was here, it's been a good experience, so it was cool," he added.

The 17-year-old La Salle Greenhills standout has been in the United States since December 2013, studying and playing for Cathedral High School, a private school just outside of downtown Los Angeles. He has also been gaining experience by playing with local teams.

"It's been a great experience. Hirap talaga ang parents na pumunta dito, but it's really cool and it's all worth it," said Kobe. "I got used to the homesickness already, and I keep in touch with my parents every day, so it's cool."

A member of the national team pool, known for his high-flying dunks and shooting skills, Paras spends most of his time in training in an effort to improve all aspects of his game.

"The style in the Philippines and here, the way they play, is really different. Like here, they're taller, more physical," said Kobe. "In the Philippines, they're short, quick, and physical, so getting my game right was one thing that I do. I guess I adjusted well."

His coach, William Middlebrooks, said Kobe has "consistently gotten better."

"He's figured out the speed of the game, how that's played. His athleticism, how to get his shot off, how to do certain moves," Middlebrooks said. "(He has also been) expanding on his defense and passes, just trying to make him a more complete player."

Recently, a few Filipino-Americans have made their mark at small colleges and in the NBA, but Kobe feels there is a larger sense of Pinoy pride as a homegrown Filipino.

When he suits up as a UCLA Bruin, Kobe joins Japeth Aguilar as the only other homegrown Filipino cager to play Division 1 college ball in the United States.

"I really don't focus on that part. I just play my game, but maybe after the game, I just realize that I'm not really playing for myself but for the country," he said.

The high school basketball season doesn't officially begin until December, but with regular tournaments and camps, Kobe will be on the court year-round.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Kobe Paras gets scholarship offer from UCLA

MANILA, Philippines – Former La Salle Greenhills standout Kobe Paras has received a scholarship offer from NCAA Division 1 university UCLA, the most high-profile school to express interest in the young Filipino player so far.

Paras, through his Twitter account, retweeted tweets from @VerbalCommits, @Compton_Magic and @Team_Bayless saying he had picked up an offer from UCLA.

The report was later confirmed by the Los Angeles Times, who quoted Paras' coach at LA Cathedral as saying, "Kobe was very excited."

Paras starred for La Salle Greenhills in the junior division of the NCAA before moving to Los Angeles, where he will make his debut for LA Cathedral next month.

He first made waves for his stunning leaping ability, famously dunking past LeBron James during the NBA superstar's visit to Manila in 2013. Since then however he has grown to 6-foot-6 and improved his outside shot.

Aside from UCLA, Paras has also received offers from Arizona State, University of California-Berkley, UC Irvine, Portland State, Fresno State, and Texas Arlington.

Paras has yet to make official visits to any of the schools.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

WBC president Sulaiman dies

LOS ANGELES - Jose Sulaiman, who ran the World Boxing Council for 38 years, died Thursday in a California hospital after a lengthy illness, the boxing organization announced. He was 82.

"We deeply regret to inform the passing away of our dearest president Don Jose Sulaiman, may he rest in peace," the WBC said on its Twitter site Thursday night.

Sulaiman died at the University of California Los Angeles, ESPN reported. He underwent heart bypass surgery in October.

Sulaiman was hospitalized in UCLA's intensive care unit since late last year. He was unable to attend the WBC annual convention in November in Thailand.

Even though he was in hospital, Sulaiman remained president right up until his death. The council honoured him by naming him President For Life at the Bangkok convention.

His son, Mauricio Sulaiman, is expected to take charge of the council, ESPN said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com