Kyle Kuzma Bio
Kyle Alexander Kuzma (born July 24, 1995) is an American professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Utah Utes and was named first-team all-conference in the Pac-12 as a junior in 2016–17. Kuzma was selected in the first round of the 2017 NBA draft with the 27th overall pick, and he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018. He won an NBA championship with the Lakers in 2020 before being traded to the Washington Wizards in 2021.
Early Life and Background
Born on July 24, 1995, in Flint, Michigan, Kyle Kuzma is the son of Karri Kuzma, a high school shot put champion who attended college on a track scholarship. He has a younger half-brother named Andre and a younger half-sister named Briana. Kuzma is biracial and has described Flint as a challenging environment, stating that basketball served as his safe haven. He attended Swartz Creek Community Schools and later transferred to Bentley High School in Michigan, where he excelled in basketball, averaging 17.9 points, 14.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 3.4 blocks per game as a junior. Kuzma sent tapes of his shooting to preparatory schools, which led to his recruitment by Rise Academy in Philadelphia. As a senior at Rise Academy, he averaged 22 points and seven rebounds per game, attracting attention from several Division I schools before ultimately choosing to play for the University of Utah.
Path to Basketball
Kyle Kuzma enrolled at the University of Utah in 2013, redshirting his freshman year due to a late signing. He became a starter in his sophomore year, averaging 10.8 points per game. In his junior year, he had a breakout season, averaging 16.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, which earned him first-team All-Pac-12 honors. After this successful season, Kuzma declared for the 2017 NBA draft, forgoing his final year of college eligibility. He graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in sociology.
Kyle Kuzma Career
Early Career (2017–2021)
Kyle Kuzma was selected with the 27th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft by the Brooklyn Nets but was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on draft day. He signed his rookie scale contract with the Lakers on July 3, 2017. During the 2017 NBA Summer League, Kuzma led the Lakers in scoring, averaging 21.9 points per game and earning All-Summer League Second Team honors. He made a significant impact in his rookie season, recording his first double-double in his first game as a starter and being named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for October/November. Kuzma’s standout performances included a career-high 38 points against the Houston Rockets and a season-high 41 points against the Detroit Pistons.
Breakthrough (2020)
Kuzma’s breakthrough moment came during the 2020 NBA playoffs. He played a crucial role in helping the Los Angeles Lakers secure their 17th NBA championship. In the postseason, he scored a career playoff high of 19 points in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat, contributing to the Lakers’ victory in the series. His game-winning three-pointer against the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs further solidified his reputation as a clutch player.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career, Kyle Kuzma has achieved significant milestones, including being named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2018 and winning an NBA championship in 2020. He has consistently demonstrated his scoring ability and versatility on the court, making him a valuable player for his teams.
Kyle Kuzma Award Nominations
Kyle Kuzma has received notable nominations throughout his career, including being recognized as a member of the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2018.
Kyle Kuzma Awards Won
Kuzma has won several awards during his career, most notably the NBA championship in 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kyle Kuzma Family
Kyle Kuzma is engaged to Canadian model Winnie Harlow, with whom he has been in a relationship since 2020. They announced their engagement via social media on February 19, 2025.
Personal Life
In addition to his basketball career, Kuzma has ventured into business, co-founding Drink Barcode, a fitness water beverage company. He met his business partner, Bar Malik, during the 2020 NBA Finals, leading to their collaboration on the drink formula.
