Kobe Paras officially commits to UCLA

MANILA, Philippines – It’s official: Kobe Paras is going to be a UCLA Bruin.

The news was reported by UCLA.scout.com, which said that Paras accepted the offer on Saturday morning (Sunday night PH time), October 11.

The former La Salle Greenhills standout also confirmed the development through Twitter . 

“I have made my decision…I’m really happy to say that I have committed to UCLA!,” tweeted the Batang Gilas standout Paras. Paras later issued a formal statement on his intentions.

“I am thankful that Coach Steve Alford is willing to take a chance on me,” Paras said. “I am very appreciative to all the coaches that made offers to me for their interest. While all of this is new to me, I realize that I can only go to one college so I felt it was not necessary to continue the recruitment process with so many very good schools and coaches already at the table. I see no need to seek out more offers.”

I have made my decision… I’m really happy to say that I have committed to UCLA!

— Kobe™ (@Im_Not_Kobe) October 11, 2014

Paras was also offered scholarships to play for other Division I NCAA Schools such as Arizona State University and Fresno State University.

(WATCH: Kobe Paras puts on dunking exhibition)

The UCLA Bruins hold the NCAA record for most national championships (11), have made the Final Four round 17 times, and have made the NCAA March Madness tournament 44 times.

UCLA has produced some of the best players to set foot in the NBA as well such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Gail Goodrich, Reggie Miller, Bill Walton, Jamaal Wilkes, Kevin Love, and Russell Westbrook.

A total of 83 former UCLA Bruins have played in the NBA.

UCLA finished last season 28-9 (12-6 in Pac-12 games), winning the Pac-12 Conference Tournament to qualify for the NCAA tournament. UCLA made it to the Sweet Sixteen – their first regional semifinal appearance since 2008 – before losing to University of Florida.

The Bruins are currently rebuilding their ranks after losing three players – Zach LaVine, Jordan Adams, Kyle Anderson – to the NBA Draft over the summer.

Paras, 17, is currently playing his junior season with Cathedral High School in Los Angeles, California. – Rappler.com