via Getty
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts with Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
via Getty
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts with Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
The 2020 Los Angeles Lakers squad went on to win another NBA championship for the franchise. The team was led by none other than LeBron James and Anthony Davis but also had some big role players in the mix. One such player was none other than Kyle Kuzma who eventually was traded away to the Washington Wizards.
Kyle Kuzma was born in Flint, Michigan. And just like any other place, Kuzma too had bad company surrounding him. Here is how the future NBA player managed to avoid all that along with drug use.
Kyle Kuzma reveals his early childhood
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Kyle Kuzma was the 27th pick by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2017 NBA draft. However, a draft night trade brought him to the Lakers squad where he eventually joined forces with LeBron James.
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 22, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) reacts after making after a three point field goal against the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter in overtime at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
The 6’8 power forward went on to win his first NBA championship with LBJ and Anthony Davis. Recently, Kuzma sat down for an interview with Alix Sharkey of BusinessTravelerUSA.com. That is where Kuzma revealed how he stayed away from bad influences.
Growing up in Flint, Michigan, it was one of the most crime-infested cities in the country. And drugs played a big role in the downfall of the neighborhood. But Kuzma was never tempted to do any.
During the interview, he revealed, “I had all types of friends, some from bad neighborhoods. But for me, it was about not wanting to disappoint my mother. So I had that fear of not wanting to let her down. That kept me away from the negative stuff going on around me.”
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Kuzma’s stint with LeBron James and more
Given how Kyle Kuzma avoided such people and influences, it is safe to say that he made the right choice. Kuzma went on to be drafted into the NBA and got a chance to play with one of the best generational talents in the league.
Not only that but he also won his first NBA championship with LeBron James and the Lakers. After his stint with the Lakers, Kuzma went on to sign a huge 4-year, $90 million deal with the Washington Wizards.
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So, not only did he win an NBA championship but also went on to secure the bag with another team. So, all in all, Kuzma made the right move early in his life.
