Kyle Kuzma is an American basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA. Kuzma impressed during his time with the Utah Utes and was the 27th overall pick by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2017 draft. Kyle did not get a chance to play for the Nets as he was traded to the Lakers on draft night.
Kuzma began running in Los Angeles, playing well enough to earn a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Kyle has been a part of the Lakers’ drive to win the 2020 NBA Championship. The Lebron-led team is in prime position to clinch the championship as they have a 2-game lead over the Miami Heat.
This piece will focus on the parents of Kyle Kuzma. Kuzma is biracial, with a black father and a white mother.
Kuzma’s mother, Karri, gave up a promising career in shot put to raise Kyle as a single mother in Flint, Michigan.
Karri Kuzma showed promise in track and field during her time in high school. She played varsity volleyball and basketball at Otisville Lakeville High School, but achieved her best results in track. She was a two-time Class B state champion shot put and placed second in the discus. Karri planned to continue her degree in college, but she became pregnant during her time at Hillsdale College.
Karri decided to move to Flint, Michigan to raise Kyle as a single parent. Kyle did not have a luxurious life growing up while Karri struggled to get a permanent job. The fact that she dropped out of college prevented her from accessing high-paying jobs. Karri feels that she probably could have ended her career, but she doesn’t regret the decision she made. she told the Detroit Free Press:
“I have no regrets because raising Kyle was the best decision I ever made. We certainly face challenges, but I have always had a strong ethic that came from my grandfather and mother and I was not going to let the struggles get the better of us. Kyle learned a lot from our situation and developed the work ethic and determination to pursue his dreams.”
Basketball served as an outlet for Kyle. He took her mind off family fights and prevented her from joining gangs. Kyle often told his mother and his teammates that he wanted to make it to the NBA. Karri believed in him and wasn’t surprised when her son joined the Lakers in 2017. Karri is Kyle’s biggest fan and is always available to offer guidance and support. Kyle told the Detroit Free Press:
“At every game during Summer League, Mom would always call me to check on me and give me some motherly advice. She would ask me how I felt about how she was playing and she would tell me to let everyone see what I can do on the court.”
Kyle never knew his biological father and was raised by his stepfather Larry Smith.
Kyle doesn’t remember his biological father, but that doesn’t affect him at all. Larry Smith, Kyle’s stepfather, was a father figure to Kyle growing up. Smith introduced Kyle to basketball by installing a hoop in the family’s living room. Kyle told the Detroit Free Press:
“It’s not a big deal for me, not knowing my real dad, because I got used to it growing up and (Larry) has been great to me. He was the first person I played basketball with after he and my mom put up a Little Tykes hoop in the living room.” Kuzma grew up with a half-brother, Andre, and a half-sister, Briana.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn