Fast-rising Filipino basketball star in the United States Kobe Paras has withdrawn from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) after failing to meet the school’s “academic conditions of his admission.” UCLA released an official statement confirming the news to the media.
Some of the US most prominent sports sites such as NBC Sports and other international sports websites reported UCLA’ statement late Wednesday (Manila Time).
“Incoming freshman guard Kobe Paras, admitted upon condition to UCLA, has withdrawn from the university due to academic conditions of his admission not being met,” the full statement read.
The UCLA Bruins is considered as one of the most dominant team in United States College basketball after it won a record 11 NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championships. Some of the most notable NBA stars who came from UCLA includes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Reggie Miller, Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook.
Meanwhile, the 6-foot-6 incoming college freshman Kobe Paras, the son of PBA legend Benjie Paras, the only professional PBA player who won an MVP and Rookie of the Year award in one season, made waves as a promising high school player of Cathedral High School in Los Angeles.
The 18-year-old Kobe Paras made a name for himself not only in Los Angeles, he was also part of the Batang Gilas team representing the Philippines in various international competitions.
Kobe Paras’ sheer athleticism, length and potential got him an offer at UCLA Bruins as he signed a National Letter of Intent to be part of the team in October of last year. Before making making waves in the US, Kobe Paras played for La Salle-Greenhills in the Philippines NCAA Juniors Division.