Kyle Kuzma is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

He is known for his epic scoring, rebounding, and playmaking abilities.

He rose to fame as a rookie with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018, when he 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.

Profile

• Full name: Kyle Alexander Kuzma
• Date of birth: July 24, 1995
• Age: 28 years old (as of 2023)
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Flint, Michigan, USA
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Basketball player
• Height: 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
• Parents: Karri Kuzma (mother) and Larry Smith (step-father)
• Siblings: Andre Smith (step-brother) and Briana Smith (step-sister)
• Spouse: N/A
• Children: N/A
• Relationship status: Rumored to be dating Kendall Jenner
• Net worth: $5 million

Early Life & Education

Kyle Kuzma, who turned 28 in 2023, was born in Flint, Michigan on July 24, 1995. He is biracial, as his mother, Karri Kuzma, is white, and his biological father is black.

He grew up with his mother, a high school shot put champion, his step-father Larry Smith, and his step-siblings Andre and Briana.

He has described Flint as “a really violent place where there’s a lot of temptation to get into the streets.” However, he also said that basketball was his “safe haven” and that he was inspired by local legends such as Mateen Cleaves and Morris Peterson.

Kuzma attended Swartz Creek Community Schools and 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 junior.

He then moved to Philadelphia to attend Rise Academy, a prep school, where he averaged 22 points and seven rebounds per game as a senior.

Before deciding on the University of Utah, he received offers to play with Division I schools, including Connecticut, Iowa State, Tennessee, and Missouri.

Kuzma enrolled at the University of Utah in 2013. He redshirted his freshman year because he signed late. He became a starter for the Utes in his sophomore year when he averaged 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, which earned him first-team All-Pac-12 honours.

Personal Life

Kyle Kuzma is rumoured to be dating model and reality television star Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian’s half-sister. The two have been spotted together several times, including at a yacht party in Malibu and a Los Angeles Lakers game.

However, neither of them has confirmed their relationship status publicly. Kuzma has also been linked to celebrities such as Vanessa Hudgens, Katya Elise Henry, and Winnie Harlow.

Kuzma is very close to his mother, who raised him as a single parent. He has said that she is his biggest supporter and motivator. He also has a good relationship with his step-father and step-siblings, whom he considers his real family.

He has not revealed much about his biological father, whom he has never met. He has said he does not hold any grudge against him, but he also has no interest in finding him.

Kuzma is also involved in various philanthropic activities, especially in his hometown of Flint. He has donated money, water, and supplies to the residents who have been affected by the Flint water crisis.

He has also hosted basketball camps and clinics for the local youth. He has said he wants to give back to the community that shaped him and inspire the next generation of Flintstones.

Career

Kyle Kuzma was selected in the first round of the 2017 NBA draft with the 27th overall pick by the Brooklyn Nets, who then 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 established himself as one of the best rookies in the league, 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 he also won the MVP award for the Rising Stars Challenge during the All-Star Weekend.

He finished the season as the NBA All-Rookie First Team member, along with Donovan Mitchell, Ben Simmons, Jayson Tatum, and Lauri Markkanen.

Kuzma continued to improve his game in his second season, averaging 18.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

He scored a career-high 41 points in just three quarters against the Detroit Pistons on January 9, 2019. He was selected to participate in the Skills Challenge during the All-Star Weekend, where he finished as the runner-up to Jayson Tatum.

He also helped the Lakers reach the playoffs for the first time since 2013, but they were 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 season’s first four games due to a stress reaction in his left ankle. He averaged 12.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, which were lower than his previous seasons.

However, he also played a vital role in the Lakers’ championship run, providing energy, defence, and clutch shots off the bench.

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 NBA Finals. He became the first player from the University of Utah to win an NBA title.

In his fourth season, Kuzma signed a three-year, $40 million contract extension with the Lakers, which included a player option for the 2023–24 season. He averaged 12.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, improving his three-point shooting to 36.1%.

He also recorded his first triple-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Oklahoma City Thunder on January 13, 2021.

However, he was criticised for his inconsistent performance and lack of defence. He was also involved in trade rumours throughout the season as the Lakers were looking to upgrade their roster.

On August 6, 2021, Kuzma was traded to the Washington Wizards in a five-team deal involving 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 and established himself as a reliable scorer and rebounder. He also improved his defence and playmaking and became a leader on and off the court.

He helped the Wizards reach the playoffs for the first time since 2018, where they faced the Brooklyn Nets in the first round.

Kuzma averaged 12.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game in the series, but the Wizards lost in five games to the Nets, led by Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving.

Net Worth

Kyle Kuzma has an estimated net worth of $5 million. He earns most of his income from his basketball career, as 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.

Controversy

Kyle Kuzma has faced some controversy 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 comments about Jesus Christ when he said that he would rather shoot than pass the ball to him.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @kuz
• Twitter handle: @kylekuzma

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