Kyle Kuzma knows a thing or two about delivering when it matters.
In the NBA, the current Washington Wizard and former champion with the Los Angeles Lakers has made a name for himself as a scoring forward with good size and versatility.
But off court, Kuzma scores in a different way—by giving back to a cause that hits close to home.
Through his nonprofit organization, the Kyle Kuzma Family Foundation, Kuzma is focusing on supporting single mothers, a mission inspired by his own upbringing.
“Just giving back. I think, you know? I think that’s super important,” Kuzma said, reflecting on what drives his philanthropic efforts during his visit to Manila.
“When I was a kid, you know? I know a good life for sure, but it was also challenging growing up in Michigan. Growing up with a single mother, my mom worked a bunch of different jobs, two jobs sometimes,” he added.
“Grandmother had to raise us a bunch of times. I had to babysit by myself at a young age, my two younger siblings, so I understand what it’s like to have humble beginnings and, you know, not a crazy head start to life.”
Kuzma’s passion for this cause isn’t just a passing interest; it’s personal.
His mother Karri, the backbone of their family, now serves as the president of their non-profit.
For Kyle, it’s a way to honor her strength and sacrifice while extending a helping hand to single moms who are in similar situations.
“The way my mom is, she runs our nonprofit, she is [the] president, and I think it’s important to give back and, like you said, it’s related to me—single mothers. That was me, that was us,” Kuzma shared.
Growing up in a single-parent household wasn’t easy, but it shaped Kuzma’s character and drive.
“Yeah, I think it’s very important growing up with a single mom. It’s very vital,” he responded, when asked about the importance of raising awareness on broken families and how it can impact individuals in general.
With so many stars in the NBA, it's a reminder that real greatness comes down to more than what happens on the court, so is Kuzma's commitment to giving back.
Kuzma's nonprofit work will be a mirror of the values his mother put in him—hard work, resilience, and rising above to help others up.
“It made me grow up a little bit faster, and just try to be the man in the house at a very young age, very grateful for everything,” he said.
Kuzma’s off-the-court efforts show his biggest assist might just be the one he's giving single moms across the United States of America.
In a platform where wins are measured in points, Kuzma’s greatest victory might be in the lives he’s helping to change—one broken family at a time.
