Fil-Am Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson wants Kobe Paras to join him in NBA

As Kobe Paras continues to make waves in the United States, Filipino-American Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson hopes that the 17-year-old will join him in the NBA soon.

 
The son of PBA legend Benjie Paras, Kobe left home to pursue his dreams of making it big in the most popular basketball league in the world. He currently plays for Cathedral High School and has committed to play for University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).
 
It will take a while before Paras joins the NBA rookie draft, but Clarkson is excited to have another player who would represent the Philippines in the league.
 
"I know some kids out here in L.A. like Kobe Paras that are doing well, and hopefully they’ll be on this level soon," the Lakers rookie guard told NBA.com.
 
Local press in Los Angeles raved over Paras due to his namesake NBA superstar Kobe Bryant and his popular dunking skills, which he showed in the FIBA 3X3 Slam Dunk contest.
 
Clarkson, whose mother is Filipina, said their basketball careers can inspire young players in the Philippines to work hard and aim high in the sport.
 
“I feel like I was a kid over there watching somebody else that made it, it would give hope,” the point guard said. “I’d want to do the same thing and continue to work hard and continue to put effort into basketball."