Creighton freshman Kobe Paras receives scholarship release, plans to transfer

Creighton freshman Kobe Paras receives scholarship release, plans to transfer

Creighton freshman Kobe Paras receives scholarship release, plans to transfer
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Creighton freshman Kobe Paras receives scholarship release, plans to transfer

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Creighton wing Kobe Paras received a release from his scholarship and plans to transfer.

The 6-foot-6, 200-pound Paras, who has a celebrity-type following in his home country of the Philippines, played in 15 of CU’s 35 games during his freshman season — contributing as a key member of the Bluejays’ scout team. He averaged 1.3 points, 1.0 rebounds and 4.7 minutes in limited game action.

Paras, through a spokesman, declined comment to The World-Herald on Saturday. He tweeted out his thanks to CU coaches and fans late Saturday night.

Paras joined Creighton in late July, picking the Jays after he re-entered the recruiting process that summer. He initially signed with UCLA, but ended up withdrawing in June.

Paras starred at Cathedral High School in Los Angeles as a junior before playing for Middlebrooks Academy as a senior. He was rated as a four-star prospect by Scout and a three-star by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN.

Before his emergence in the U.S., Paras was already a phenom back home. He won international dunk contests. His dad, Benjie, earned two MVP awards while playing pro basketball in the Philippines then transitioned into a prominent acting career. Kobe Paras has more than 400,000 followers on Instagram and more than 100,000 on Twitter.

Paras’ potential was on display at times with the Jays — he often dazzled teammates with emphatic and explosive dunks in practice. He just didn’t break into the primary rotation.

His departure opens an additional scholarship for the Jays, who have three openings to offer this offseason.

They’re still waiting on a decision from consensus top-20 prospect Brian Bowen, a 2017 recruit who is picking among Michigan State, Arizona, CU and others soon.

They’re also on the hunt for a graduate transfer big man. Former Michigan forward Mark Donnal, who visited Creighton two weeks ago, reportedly committed to Clemson on Friday.

And CU will continue to court undergraduate transfers who wouldn’t be eligible to contribute right away. The Jays reportedly reached out to Sacred Heart transfer Quincy McKnight (a 6-3 guard) and Massachusetts transfers DeJon Jarreau (a 6-5 guard) and Brison Gresham (a 6-9 forward). Rice transfer Marcus Evans (a 6-2 guard) told the Houston Chronicle that he heard from Creighton during his recruiting process, but he ultimately chose VCU.