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Besides being a guy who can put up 20 points and propel his team to wins, Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma鈥檚 impact has stunned even those closest to him. Kuzma鈥檚 greatest contribution might not be on the hardwood, but rather through his goodwill.
Kuzma has done everything from in his hometown of Flint, Michigan to and grandmother. It鈥檚 his mother, Karri, who is most aware of her son鈥檚 impact beyond basketball.
鈥淗im being able to do that [make a $1 million donation to the YMCA], you know 鈥� even the thought of a million dollars is still crazy to me because there were years he didn鈥檛 get Christmas presents, you know what I鈥檓 saying?鈥� Karri said on Tuesday. 鈥淪o, him just gifting that to other people 鈥� I still get emotional.鈥�
"There were years he didn't get Christmas presents" – Karri Kuzma on 's charitable nature giving $1M to childhood YMCA. |
— NBC Sports Wizards (@NBCSWizards)
Karri鈥檚 emotions stem partially from the financial conditions she and Kyle lived under while Kyle was growing up. To see him make it big in the NBA is made all the more overwhelming when she recalls working to make ends meet in Flint. Kuzma himself has mentioned his upbringing contributed to his and promotion.
It was just over a year ago that Kuzma purchased five acres of land and a new home for his mother and grandmother in Michigan 鈥� a special family gift for the woman he calls his biggest supporter and number one fan.
鈥淲hen he got the house, I mean, it鈥檚 hard to explain,鈥� Karri said, choked up. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 my first house. I鈥檝e never had a house. When he says, 鈥楬ere鈥檚 your limit, go look for a house,鈥� it was kind of like a fast thing鈥e kinda gave me a price range, I looked, we found a house and that was his dream.鈥�
Kuzma has said in the past that his mother texts him before and after every game. It was pertinent that Karri attended the Wizards’ game in Detroit, as Kuzma grew up a ravenous Pistons fan. Daniel Gafford鈥檚 ultimately locked up the win for the visitors, but Kuzma thinks of games in Detroit as homecomings.
His upbringing in Flint, plus his journey through college at Utah to Los Angeles and now to the nation鈥檚 capital, have never drawn Kuzma away from his roots. Rather, Kuzma’s bond remains strong with his family and his hometown.
Karri was at the center of his basketball youth and continues to be his rock today. That won鈥檛 change any time soon.
鈥淎s a parent, you always view your kid as a child regardless of their age, I think,鈥� Karri said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 still my baby even though he鈥檚 a grown man.鈥�
