A work of art himself, heavily tattooed Kuzma an inspiring success story

Kyle Kuzma during a press conference in Makati City as part of his Philippine Tour.–MELO FUERTES/INQUIRER.net

Kyle Kuzma is easily one of the NBA’s most recognizable faces when it comes to game-day outfits. But on his first morning in Manila, the Washington Wizards star who was a member of the 2020 champion Lakers squad, was far from his usual flamboyant self.

Inked all over, the 6-foot-9 forward out of Flint, Michigan, took on questions from the press decked in a plain Rick Owens set—far from the loud designer garbs he’s in during NBA seasons.

He did, however, sport a Swiss luxury timepiece which he feels was a nod to his love for art that started during his boyhood years.

“This one is a Patek [Philippe]. I just got it. It’s one of my favorite watches so far. It’s called the ‘Celestial.’ It has homage to different stars, constellations,” he said. “It has a moon phase which can tell you if it’s a full moon or not. I think it’s kind of unique.

“I love watches, I think it’s another part of me that’s about art. I’ve always loved watches from a young age, I just never really had the money to get the things that I want,” he added with a smirk.

Kuzma developed a fascination for art during his tough, formative years in Flint, a city rife with crime and water crisis northwest of Detroit. Such passion has since led him to collect virtually every kind of art out there.

Raised by single mom

“I think it started as a kid. I used to draw as a kid in elementary. I always got a notebook with me, drawing anime characters, ‘Dragon Ball Z,’ certain landscapes, houses and stuff,” the 29-year-old forward said.

“I think naturally, I think me [being] that way as a kid, made me who I am today with how much I love actual art, collecting art or clothing or fashion because that’s art as well. So I think it always ties in. And that started when I was a child.”

Kuzma’s success story has been made possible by his mother Karri, who raised him singlehandedly after forgoing her final year of track and field scholarship in college.

And it was also through those challenging years that he developed an entrepreneurial spirit.

“A good life, for sure, but also, it was challenging in a certain sense, growing up in Flint, growing up with a single mother who had worked a bunch of different jobs,—two jobs sometimes; a great mother who had to raise us,” he recalled.

“I had to babysit by myself at a young age my two younger siblings, so I understand what’s it like to, you know, have humble beginnings and not to have a great head start to life,” he went on. INQ