MANILA, Philippines – Kobe Paras has the potential to become an all-California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section (CIFSS) player according to calhisports.com, the only source for California state records.
The reputable California-based sports website has ranked Paras’ team Los Angeles (LA) Cathedral at no. 19, jumping from no. 25 last season.
Cal-Hi Sports senior Editor Ronnie Flores described Paras as “a flashy player who just needs focus on simple instead of spectacular to be an all-CIFSS level player.”
Paras, who has already committed to play for the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins in 2016, has been impressive in the pre-season games. Earlier this week, he scored 12 points in the Purple Ghosts’ 76-61 win over Diego Prep in the Supreme Showcase at the Staples Center.
Paras will start for Middlebrooks’ squad at shooting guard and has certainly boosted their chances to go deeper in the playoffs this coming season.
Flores described LA Cathedral as a team with great all-around talent. The Purple Ghosts finished with a 24-6 win-loss record last season losing to Santa Margarita in the CIF Division III regional playoffs.
“Cathedral is an athletic, finesse team that excels in transition and has solid shooting. The pieces are in place for Cathedral to have a spectacular season if everyone finds their role,” Flores wrote.
Paras will team up with fellow UCLA recruit Lucas Siewart, touted to be one of the best shooters in the state, in the Purple Ghosts’ formidable lineup. Aside from Paras and the 6-foot-9 Brazilian shooter, coach Middlebrooks will also rely on Fil-American senior point guard Jameel McGill and the athletic Chino Hills transferee Milan Acquaah.
Kobe, the son of two-time PBA MVP Benjie Paras, has emerged as one of the best players in California's The League presented by Compton Magic, one of the top Athletic Amateur Union programs. He was featured in a solo mixtape video produced by ballislife.com and joined several prep stars including Fil-American star playmaker Sedrick Barefield in a separate highlights reel.
Meanwhile, Barefield’s team Corona Centennial is way up high in the pre-season rankings at no. 2 spot behind last season CIF Open Division State losing finalist Bishop O’Dowd.
Barefield, a 6-foot senior crack point guard, led Corona to a 29-4 win-loss record last season but lost to a hot-shooting Monte Vista in the CIF Division I State finals.
Barefield, who was born to a Filipina mother, is already committed to play for the Southern Methodist University coached by former NBA champion Larry Brown.