Kyle Kuzma is an American professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
He is known for his excellent scoring, rebounding and offensive playmaking abilities.
He burst onto the scene as a rookie with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
He also won an NBA championship with the Lakers in 2020 before being traded to the Wizards in 2021.
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- Full name: Kyle Alexander Kuzma
- Date of Birth: July 24, 1995
- Age: 28 (as of 2023)
- Gender: Male
- Birthplace: Flint, Michigan, USA
- Country: United States
- Occupation: Basketball player
- Height: 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 meters)
- Parents: Kary Kuzma (mother) and Larry Smith (stepfather)
- Siblings: Andre Smith (step-brother) and Briana Smith (step-sister)
- Spouse: No
- Children: None
- Relationship Status: Rumored to be dating Kendall Jenner
- Net worth: $5 million
Early life and education
Kyle Kuzma, who will be 28 years old in 2023, was born in Flint, Michigan on July 24, 1995. He is a mixed-race child, his mother Kary Kuzma is white and his biological father is black.
He grew up with his mother, a high school shot put champion, his stepfather, Larry Smith, and his step-siblings, Andre and Brianna.
He described Flint: “It was a violent place and it was easy for people to take to the streets.“However, he also said that basketball is his”“haven” and was inspired by local legends like Mateen Cleaves and Morris Peterson.
Kuzma attended Swartz Creek Community School and later transferred to Bentley High School in Michigan, averaging 17.9 points, 14.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.4 blocks per game as a senior.
He then moved to Philadelphia to attend prep school Rise Academy, where he averaged 22 points and 7 rebounds per game as a senior.
He received offers from Division I schools including Connecticut, Iowa State, Tennessee and Missouri before deciding on Utah.
Kuzma enrolled at the University of Utah in 2013. Due to his late signing, he did not play in any games during his freshman year. In his sophomore year, he became a starter at the University of Utah, averaging 10.8 points per game.
As a junior in 2016-17, he averaged 16.4 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game, earning him All-Pac-12 First Team honors.
Personal life
Kyle Kuzma is rumored to be dating model and reality TV star Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian’s half-sister. The two have been spotted together on several occasions, including at a yacht party in Malibu and at a Los Angeles Lakers game.
However, neither has publicly confirmed their relationship status. Kuzma has also been linked to celebrities such as Vanessa Hudgens, Katja Elise Henry, and Winnie Harlow.
Kuzma is very close to his mother, a single parent, and has said she is his biggest supporter and motivation. He also has a good relationship with his stepfather and stepsiblings, whom he considers his true family.
He didn’t reveal much about his biological father, whom he had never met. He said he didn’t bear any grudge against him, but he also had no interest in finding him.
Kuzma has also been involved in various charitable activities, especially in his hometown of Flint, where he donated money, water, and supplies to residents affected by the Flint water crisis.
He also hosts basketball camps and clinics for local youth. He said he wants to give back to the community that shaped him and inspire the next generation of Flintstones.
Profession
Kyle Kuzma was selected by the Brooklyn Nets with the 27th overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft, and the Nets subsequently traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers.
He made his NBA debut on October 19, 2017, scoring eight points in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
He quickly became one of the league’s best rookies, averaging 16.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
He was named the NBA Western Conference Rookie of the Month for October and November and won the Rising Stars Challenge MVP award at All-Star Weekend.
He finished the season as a member of the NBA All-Rookie First Team along with Donovan Mitchell, Ben Simmons, Jayson Tatum and Lauri Markkanen.
Kuzma continued to elevate his game in his second season, averaging 18.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
On January 9, 2019, he scored a career-high 41 points in just three quarters against the Detroit Pistons. He was selected to participate in the Skills Challenge during the All-Star Weekend and finished second to Jayson Tatum.
He also helped the Lakers reach the playoffs for the first time since 2013, but was eliminated in the first round by the Phoenix Suns.
In his third season, Kuzma faced some challenges as he had to adjust to a new role and a new coach. He also missed the first four games of the season due to a stress reaction in his left ankle. He averaged 12.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, which was lower than in previous seasons.
However, he also played a vital role in the Lakers’ title run, providing energy, defense and clutch shooting.
He averaged 10 points and 3.1 rebounds per game in the playoffs and helped the Lakers defeat the Miami Heat in six games in the finals, becoming the first player from the University of Utah to win an NBA championship.
In his fourth season, Kuzma signed a three-year, $40 million contract extension with the Lakers, including a player option for the 2023-24 season. He averaged 12.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, and his three-point shooting percentage increased to 36.1%.
On January 13, 2021, he recorded his first triple-double against the Oklahoma City Thunder with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
However, he was criticized for his inconsistent play and poor defense, and he was involved in trade rumors throughout the season as the Lakers looked to upgrade their roster.
On August 6, 2021, Kuzma was traded to the Washington Wizards in a deal that included Russell Westbrook, Spencer Dinwiddie, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and several draft picks. He joined a young and talented core of Bradley Beal, Rui Hachimura, Thomas Bryant, and Deni Avdija.
He also reunited with former Lakers teammate Isaac Bonga, who was traded to the Wizards. He said he was excited to play for the Wizards and prove himself as a star in the league.
In his first season with the Wizards, Kuzma averaged 15.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, becoming a reliable scorer and rebounder. He also improved his defense and organizational skills, becoming a leader on and off the court.
He helped the Wizards reach the playoffs for the first time since 2018, when they faced the Brooklyn Nets in the first round.
Kuzma averaged 12.4 points and 6.2 rebounds in the series, but the Wizards lost in five games to a Nets team led by Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving.
net worth
Kyle Kuzma has an estimated net worth of $5 million. Most of his earnings come from his basketball career, and he signed a three-year, $40 million contract extension with the Lakers in 2020, which he will continue to receive after being traded to the Wizards.
dispute
Kyle Kuzma has faced a number of controversies in his career, both on and off the court. Some of the notable incidents are:
In 2019, he was fined $15,000 by the NBA for making an obscene gesture during a game against the Houston Rockets.
In 2020, he was criticized by some fans and media for his remarks about Jesus Christ that he would “rather shoot the ball than pass it to him.”
Social Media
- Instagram account: @kuz
- Twitter account: @kylekuzma
