Incoming guard Kobe Paras withdraws from UCLA due to academics

Incoming freshman guard Kobe Paras has withdrawn from UCLA after academic conditions of his admission were not met, according to the school.

Paras, a 6-foot-6 guard who was admitted to the school upon condition, was a three-star recruit.

He grew up in the Philippines, but spent his final two years of high school in L.A. He played his junior season at Cathedral High before playing his senior year for Middlebrooks Academy.

According to the Los Angeles Times, a conflict between academic calendars in the Philippines and the United States would have exhausted Paras’ high school eligibility halfway through his senior season at Cathedral, prompting the transfer to the Middlebrooks Academy team. He stayed at Cathedral as a student during his senior year.

The 18-year-old is a star with the Philippine national team and participated in the 2013 and 2015 FIBA 3×3 Under-18 World Championships. He won the slam dunk competition both years.

The Bruins are still bringing in a highly rated class featuring 6-foot-5 five-star guard Lonzo Ball from Chino Hills High, 6-foot-9 five-star forward T.J. Leaf from Foothill Christian High in El Cajon, and 6-foot-10 four-star center Ike Anigbogu from Centennial High in Corona.

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