UCLA coach Steve Alford thrilled to sign Kobe Paras to 4-yr scholarship

MANILA, Philippines -- Filipino basketball prodigy Kobe Paras officially signed a letter of intent to play for the UCLA Bruins in the next four years beginning in the 2016-17 season. 

UCLA coach Steve Alford announced the signings of Paras and two more prized recruits as the Bruins hope to return to its elite status in the US NCAA. 

It's official, Kobe's a Bruin! We're thrilled to welcome Kobe Paras to the #UCLA family. #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/j16JrCEqW7

— UCLA Basketball (@UCLAMBB) November 11, 2015

Under Alford, the Bruins have won the Pac-12 championship in his first year and went on to the NCAA Sweet 16 in his first two seasons. 

UCLA rose to popularity during the John Wooden era where the Bruins won a record 10 national championships in a 12-year stretch from 1963 to 1975 but has not won a national title since 1995 and last went to the Final Four in 2008. 

Read up on today's three #UCLA signees (Ike, Lonzo & Kobe ... welcome to Westwood!). https://t.co/bLyDMPkHig pic.twitter.com/2rU1G7Bu3o

— UCLA Basketball (@UCLAMBB) November 12, 2015

Paras, four-star recruit 6'10" Ike Anigbogu and five-star recruit 6'5" Lonzo Ball represents the bright future for the Bruins. 

"We're always looking for players who’ve grown up immersed in basketball, and Kobe definitely fits that mold,” Alford said in the official statement posted by the UCLA on its website. 

“He just loves the game. To add a talented player like Kobe to our program is terrific. He’s a very athletic guard who plays with tremendous energy. We like how he can attack off the dribble and get to the rim in the open court, and we’re excited that he’ll be joining us in Westwood.”

Paras, Anigbogu and Ball have either all played against each other during the season or played together in the summer leagues.

For Paras, a stint with the Bruins opens up an endless possibilities.  Playing in a big-time college program and under the bright lights of the Hollywood is a step closer to his dream of playing in the NBA in the future. He now has the right opportunity to develop into an NBA-caliber player under a good basketball program that produced the likes of Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love, Zach LaVine and NBA legends Reggie Miller, Bill Walton and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. 

Paras could not hide his excitement to officially become a Bruin. 

Signing day with my brothers  @MilanAcquaah @Dhenson6 pic.twitter.com/wmgl5kCtNZ

— Kobe™ (@Im_Not_Kobe) November 11, 2015

Officially a Bruin  Wouldn't be here today without my family @coachmiddlebrks @EtopUdoEma @Compton_Magic Thank you guys for everything!

— Kobe™ (@Im_Not_Kobe) November 11, 2015

Last year, Paras averaged 15 points per game as a starter for the LA Cathedral Phantoms.  He is still currently enrolled at LA Cathedral High School for his studies but will finish his high school eligibility with the Middlebrooks Academy basketball team due to the difference of school calendar between the Philippines and the US when he transferred in 2013. 

In the official press release of the UCLA Bruins, they mentioned Paras' accolades back home.

"Paras helped lead the Philippines to a gold medal in the FIBA Asia Under-18 3x3 championship in May 2013. He won the FIBA 3x3 Championships’ slam dunk contest in June 2015, representing the Philippines. Paras’ father, Benjie, was a professional basketball player in the Philippines and was the only player named both the rookie of the year and MVP in the same season (Philippine Basketball Association)," the statement said. 

Paras, who played his first two years in high school for De La Salle Greenies in the NCAA here will become the second homegrown Filipino talent to play in the US NCAA Division I since Brgy. Ginebra forward Japeth Aguilar (Western Kentucky University in 2007-09).