Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kyle Kuzma

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Kyle Kuzma made an impact.

Kyle Kuzma is a professional basketball player currently with the Milwaukee Bucks. He played college basketball at Utah, earning first-team all-conference honors. Drafted 27th overall in 2017, Kuzma quickly made an impact with the Los Angeles Lakers, earning NBA All-Rookie First Team honors in 2018. He played a key role in the Lakers' 2020 NBA Championship victory. In 2021, he was traded to the Washington Wizards before joining the Bucks.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2016: All-Pac-12 First Team Honors

In 2016, as a junior at Utah, Kyle Kuzma was named first-team all-conference in the Pac-12.

July 3, 2017: Signing with the Los Angeles Lakers

On July 3, 2017, Kyle Kuzma officially signed his rookie scale contract with the Los Angeles Lakers after being traded to them on draft day.

November 3, 2017: First Double-Double

On November 3, 2017, Kyle Kuzma recorded his first career double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds in a win against the Brooklyn Nets.

2017: NBA Draft Entry

After the 2016-2017 season, Kyle Kuzma decided to enter the 2017 NBA draft, foregoing his final year of college basketball eligibility.

2017: NBA Summer League Performance

In 2017 NBA Summer League, Kyle Kuzma led the Los Angeles Lakers in points and was named to the All-Summer League Second Team. He also earned the Summer League Championship Game MVP award.

2017: NBA Draft and Career Start

In 2017, Kyle Kuzma was selected in the first round of the NBA draft with the 27th overall pick.

October 22, 2018: Season-High Scoring Performance

On October 22, 2018, Kyle Kuzma scored a season-high 37 points against the San Antonio Spurs.

2018: Rising Stars Challenge and All-Rookie Team

In 2018, Kyle Kuzma played in the Rising Stars Challenge and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

2018: NBA All-Rookie First Team

In 2018, Kyle Kuzma was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team with the Los Angeles Lakers.

January 9, 2019: Career-High 41 Points

On January 9, 2019, Kyle Kuzma scored a career-high 41 points against the Detroit Pistons.

August 10, 2020: Game-Winning Shot Against Nuggets

On August 10, 2020, Kyle Kuzma hit a game-winning three-pointer against the Denver Nuggets.

December 21, 2020: Contract Extension with the Lakers

On December 21, 2020, Kyle Kuzma signed a three-year, $40 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers.

2020: NBA Championship

In 2020, Kyle Kuzma won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers.

August 6, 2021: Trade to the Wizards

On August 6, 2021, Kyle Kuzma was traded to the Washington Wizards as part of a package for Russell Westbrook.

2021: Trade to Washington Wizards

In 2021, Kyle Kuzma was traded to the Washington Wizards.

January 3, 2022: Season-High Scoring

On January 3, 2022, Kyle Kuzma scored a season-high 36 points, alongside 14 rebounds and six assists, in a 124–121 win over the Charlotte Hornets.

January 11, 2023: Game-Winning Shot and Season-High Score

On January 11, 2023, Kyle Kuzma scored 21 points and made a game-winning three-pointer in a 100–97 win over the Chicago Bulls. The next game, Kuzma scored a season-high 40 points against the New York Knicks.