Kobe Paras Shares Future Plans: NBA Still The Goal
When Kobe Paras accepted the offer to play for the
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in late 2014, he became an even
bigger star.
Basketball fans in the Philippines have been following Paras’
amateur basketball career, hoping he’ll be the first Filipino to achieve his
NBA dream.
Though his journey in the US NCAA wasn’t easy as he later
withdrew from UCLA, reportedly due to failure to meet academic requirements,
Paras knew the challenge was just starting.
“In UCLA, it’s all about politics, nobody really knows the
right or wrong answer, but honestly I just really don’t care,’ Paras said.
“Everything happens for a reason. I’m a firm believer in
that,” he added.
Paras, who once played for La Salle Green Hills in high
school here in the Philippines, got into Creighton University in Nebraska last
year.
He spent a year there then transferred back to the West
Coast, committing to play for California State University, Northridge.
“I got me into a position that I had to face adversity, and
I’m still facing adversity,” said Paras. “But at some point I just had to be a
man about it and face adversity man-to-man.”
Paras, a two-time dunk champion of the FIBA 3x3 U18 World
Cup, has made the country proud through various international competitions.
“I feel blessed a lot because I can represent my country in
different ways,” he said. “It’s just the little things that count because there
are so many who look up to me. I appreciate it.”
The son of former basketball player and actor Benjie Paras,
he didn’t dream of being a hoops star at first, as basketball was just a hobby.
When Paras got into La Salle, he fell in love with
basketball.
It was only then when he was in 7th grade that he decided to
consider playing as a career.
“I thought I could make a living and I could do something
great with basketball. It was also the time I was growing,” explained Paras,
who also enjoys table tennis.
Now, the opportunities keep on coming, and Paras is more
than ready to become the best version of himself.
“I’m going with the flow. I’m joining Gilas, so I think it’s
a great time for me to just play for the country and play basketball as well,”
he said.
Paras added that while academics and basketball are his
priorities, he’s keen on pursuing his other interests, too.
“I’m really ambitious, I love fashion, I love cooking, I
wanna open my own restaurant. I got inspired by my dad since he’s an actor and
basketball player. I can be whoever I want and do everything,” Paras said.
“It’s just trusting in yourself and passion for everything
you do. The NBA is still the end goal.”
And he only has one message to everyone telling him he can’t
do it.
“I don’t care [about negative comments]. Life is so short.
Why focus on the negative when you can make the most out of it (the
experience)? It’s their opinion and I’m just going to do what I think is right.”
Source: Rappler
Kobe Paras Shares Future Plans: NBA Still The Goal
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September 01, 2017
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