Kobe Paras ended up as a one-and-done for University of the Philippines.
The prolific 23-year-old forward has decided to train in the United States through East West Private for the time being. He is also foregoing his final year in UP, according to numerous sources closely monitoring the situation.
Chooks-to-Go is backing Paras’ redemption campaign in the US.
“Let tomorrow be your second chance to prove that you are better than today and yesterday. Welcome to the family Kobe,” read EWP’s post.
Paras left the country last Wednesday.
The 6-foot-6 forward impressed in his sole year with the Fighting Maroons. He averaged 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.
This is not Paras’ first foray in the US.
Back in 2013, Paras decided to finish his secondary school in Cathedral High School. In his senior year, he opted to play for Middlebrooks Academy while still attending school in Cathedral.
He was then recruited by University of California, Los Angeles but later transferred to Creighton University.
After spending one year in Creighton, the second generation cager moved to Cal State Northridge. However, Paras opted out of the school after the firing of Reggie Theus.
He returned to the Philippines in 2018, first playing for the Gilas Cadets in the Chooks-to-Go Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup before committing to UP.
The pandemic has changed Paras’ plans, though. With a plethora of recruits by the school, he wanted to give way to them while focusing on an international career.