Kobe Paras chose to play for NCAA Division 1 school Creighton University because of the way it treats its players, according to the young Filipino basketball star.

The 18-year-old phenom, who pulled out from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), explained that he has a different feeling playing in Creighton.

“Right here, it's not coach and players. It's more of a family,” Paras said.

After withdrawing from UCLA, Paras reportedly got offers from several NCAA Division 1 schools across the US.

But Paras decided to pick the Blue Jays because of their coach Greg McDermott, father of the Chicago Bulls’ Doug McDermott.

“He's not gonna take care of you like a player, he's gonna take care of you like a son,” said Paras.

Creighton last made the NCAA Tournament in 2014. Among their alumni who have made it to the NBA are Kyle Korver of the Atlanta Hawks, Anthony Tolliver of the Sacramento Kings, and the younger McDermott.

The Blue Jays, who play in the Big East, will open their 2016-2017 campaign on November 4 against Wayne State.

Paras, a son of PBA legend Benjie Paras, earlier committed himself to UCLA after he was recruited by the university's program in 2014 while playing for the LA Cathedral.

But UCLA, which has produced NBA stars like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Reggie Miller, Zach LaVine and Kevin Love, announced in June that the young Paras has pulled out from the program. - with a report from TJ Manotoc, ABS-CBN News

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