To say someone belong to the one percent means they belong to an exclusive club. That’s what Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma feels about being in the NBA.
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Mar 5, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (18) drives for the basket against Dallas Mavericks guard Spencer Dinwiddie (26) in the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
@gmasportsph PRE MAY DAYO, SI KYLE KUZMA 👀🔥 WATCH: NBA star Kyle Kuzma showed off his skills during the unveiling of his mural at the Tenement Court in Sta. Ana, Manila. Follow #GMASports for more #NBA updates. #SportsOnTikTok ♬ original sound – GMA Sports PH
Kuz was in the Philippines, a basketball-crazy country, for a tour and to attend the unveiling of a mural dedicated to him. There, he gladly engaged with fans and media about what it is like becoming an NBA player and what would it take to get there.
“It’s very, very important to meet that opportunity,” he told reporters.
“And, yeah, you know, if you make it to the NBA, you’re a part of that, which is 1% of the top players in the world. It’s so hard to do it, regardless if you’re tall, short.”
Kuzma has been in the league since 2017 and already won a title. He joined the Bucks in February as a swap for team legend Khris Middleton.
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Feb 21, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (18) drives to the basket as Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton (32) defends in the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Hundreds of players try to get drafted each year but only 60 people make the cut. The others try to get in as an undrafted player and many of them found success through that path.
Kyle Kuzma’s advice for NBA aspirants
Kuzma’s statements came after he was asked about a Filipino’s chance to get to the NBA.
The Southeast Asian country is yet to see a homegrown talent make it to the NBA. They got Filipino-Americans like Raymond Townsend, Jalen Green, and Jordan Clarkson but they did not grow up in the Philippines.
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Jan 5, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) drives to the basket against Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) in the second half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
The 2017 27th overall pick was frank to his audiences and said that they will need both hardwork and luck.
“Anybody really can make it. You just have to work. You have to have lots of luck. A lot of luck is an important part of that,” he said.
Kuzma is currently busy preparing for the new season. Among his biggest concern right now is improving his performance after he flopped in the postseason.
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