KOBE PARAS WINS FIBA UNDER 18 WORLD SLAM DUNK CONTEST IN SENSATIONAL FASHION
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 08 Jun 2015
Teenage sensation Kobe Paras has won the world Slam Dunk contest in the FIBA Under 18 competition with a sensational creative final slam that beat back a spirited challenge by Jaleck Felton of the United States, Agustin Da Costa of Uruguay and hometown boy Mark Boros of host Hungary in Debrecen.
With the gold medal triumph, Kobe repeated his stunning success two years ago in Jakarta when he overcame the challenge of the much taller American and Spanish contestants.
Paras had earlier slammed his way to the final four of the eagerly-awaited competition in Hungary topping the two rounds with a total of 28 points which was also shared by Felton and Da Costa but was pushed to the limit in the finals with the fans expressing their disagreement with the three judges scores on Paras dunk in the second round when he soared over three teammates and his coach with the announcer noting ?the audience was not satisfied with the marks the guys showed for a very nice dunk? which earned him only a total of 27 points which put pressure on the cool, collected and confident youngster to turn in a perfect score on his final attempt.
Felton who flubbed his first two attempts in the final round ?left the best for last? in the words of the venue announcer to get 29 points when he picked up a pass and with perfect synchronization slammed it home after missing his first two attempts with time down to 30 seconds to give the American a total of 83 points.
The commentator announced that Kobe ?needs a perfect 30 points? to edge Felton as the Filipino had a total of 54 points going into his final attempt.
Paras who was clearly the crowd favorite was cheered on by the fans who held its collective breath as the barker shouted out ?let?s see whether Kobe Paras can get a 30 point final where he needs a perfect dunk.?
In what his Dad, PBA superstar Benjie Paras said was ?an innovative dunk which he tried for the very first time even without practice because he realized if he went ahead with the dunk he had prepared he wouldn?t win,? Kobe plucked a basketball held above the head of a teammate and hammered it through the net with the barker shouting ?he needs a perfect dunk and he gets it. Let?s see whether he gets the required 30 points? and as the three judges raised their scorecards showing a perfect ten, the announcer shouted ?yes he got it? as the fans roared their approval.
Both father and son were emotionally touched as the Philippine national anthem was played with Kobe wearing dark shades to probably hide the tears in his eyes.
Kobe Paras (center) during the awarding ceremonies of the FIBA U-18 slam dunk contest in Debrecen, Hungary.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
76ers star Paul George has been suspended for 25 NBA games by doping
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 01 Feb 2026Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
Sun, 01 Feb 2026Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
Sun, 01 Feb 2026Trazo beats Jabagat in Talisay
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 01 Feb 2026Into fights Sanchez on Feb. 9 at Villa Kristen
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 01 Feb 2026Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson: Styles Make Fights Fitting Cliche
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 31 Jan 2026Bryan Flores Wins Majority Decision Over Starling Castillo in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
Sat, 31 Jan 2026KinetixSports Legacy Run on March 1
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 31 Jan 2026THE RING 6: OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON
Sat, 31 Jan 2026Legendary Soccer Player Sergio Ramos to make professional boxing debut
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 31 Jan 2026Weigh-In Results: Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou
Sat, 31 Jan 2026Teofimo vs Shakur Fight Analysis
By Ralph Rimpell, Sat, 31 Jan 2026Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Welterweight Showdown Canceled
Sat, 31 Jan 2026NEWCASTLE WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS MURTAZALIEV AND KELLY CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Boxers Make Weight for Brico Santig’s Exciting 21-Bout Promotion in Thailand (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 30 Jan 2026