After defending his FIBA 3×3 slam dunk crown, there’s no other way for high-flying Kobe Paras to go but up. But armed with humility, the young basketball phenomenon said he would do it with feet on the ground.
The Filipino sensation said the most important lesson his father, PBA legend and actor Benjie Paras, taught him was to always stay humble amid all the glitz and glory of the basketball scene.
“[My father has taught me] to always stay humble and to always listen to your elders and coaches, because in life, you need to listen to your parents as they’re going to guide you through everything,” he said in an interview with reporters. “Your coach is just like your dad in the game, so, he just told me to stay humble, respect your parents and respect your coach.”
READ: Fiba 3×3: Kobe Paras retains dunk title | Perfect Paras keeps dunk title
However, the younger Paras said his father was not one to dictate what he should or should not do.
“He’s just there to guide me and to make sure that my journey is not too rough, but a smooth and happy one,” he said. “So he’s not that the parent who forces me to do a lot of things, he’s just there to guide me and make sure that I’m happy with the decisions I make.”
Amid all the achievements and attention he has been getting at a young age, the 17-year-old Paras said he would not settle with the skills that he has, eyeing continuous improvement.
“I just want to focus on getting better each and every day and I know that I wouldn’t be content with any of my skills right now because I want to improve every day,” he said.
READ: Dunk king Kobe Paras says FIBA 3×3 slam contest tougher this year
While saying that he has always been privileged to don the Philippine colors abroad, the UCLA-commit also wished that other Filipinos be given the chance that he had.
“I’m really proud, kasi minsan-minsan lang magkaroon ng Pinoy na magagawa ‘yung mga ganito, so sana nga hindi lang ako. Sana nga bigyan ni God ng opportunity lahat ng tao, kasi ayoko din naman na ako lang ang aakyat,” he said.
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