Grace Libero

Article (news)

NBA Star Kyle Kuzma in Manila

<div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1755769845287nba star kyle kuzma manila.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @okadamanila</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>A visibly fatigued and hungry <strong>Kyle Kuzma</strong> is what we got that Wednesday evening at the Chairman’s Lounge at Okada Manila. So a well-deserved salute to this <strong>NBA</strong> champion and<strong> Milwaukee Bucks</strong> forward for being such a trouper, and engaging with the media and influencers even if he had spent an already full day at municipal and community basketball courts. He had been making every second of his stay count, insofar as charity initiatives and CSR activities were concerned.</p><p>The highlight of that first day would have to be the ceremony held at Tenement Court at Punta, Sta. Ana and the unveiling of a mural with him as the subject. As he recounted during the Okada media event, it’s these kinds of events that motivated him to come back after his first visit last year. For him, the Filipino fans are kind, grateful, and very human—traits that he appreciates and admires.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1755770294190nba star kyle kuzma manila 2.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo by Philip Cu-Unjieng</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>He spoke of how, at Tenement, his conversation with Mayor Isko Moreno led to the mention of how the community there had just had running water installed. This reminded him of Flint, Michigan, where he was born. While there was running water there, due to it being such a heavily industrialized area, the quality of water was so poor due to lead poisoning. So he understood how even in this day and age, such necessities and a given such as running water can be compromised, or even absent in particular communities within a modern city.</p><p>While the cultures of America and the Philippines are markedly different, Kyle was happy to celebrate how there’s also so much common ground and shared values. Cognizant of how so many of the kids he encountered earlier in the day may have never seen an NBA player up close, he loved how they were so friendly, welcoming, and ready to live in the moment of his being there in their neighborhood.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1755770492889nba star kyle kuzma manila 3.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo by Philip Cu-Unjieng</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><p>I was given the chance to ask a question, and mine was, ”Whether the Pistons, Jazz, or Heat qualify as teams in cities that have been part of his life journey, and he’d like to play for those teams at one point in his career?” Kyle gave me a big smile and asked why those teams in particular. So we agreed that Detroit is where he was born, Utah is where his college career took off, and Miami is his current home. He laughed, saying I certainly had done my homework, but he’s more of a play for the moment kind of guy, and his attitude is that no matter where the hoops take him, there will be a reason.</p><p>Drafted by the Brooklyn Nets in 2017, he was traded to the LA Lakers that same day. In 2020, alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, he earned a championship ring during the closed-door pandemic Finals of that year. A 4-year stint with the Washington Wizards was followed by a trade to the Milwaukee Bucks this year. The Bucks were knocked out by the Pacers in their Eastern Conference tussle.</p><p>Asked to comment on what playing with the Greek Freak Giannis is like, Kyle said that he’s genuinely goofy, then serious, and a true family man. He’s quite different from other superstars Kyle has played with or encountered. Whatever Giannis projects is the real thing, and what always amazes Kyle is how Giannis will literally go out of his way to know the names of the people in the organization, even the ball boys of the Bucks, and the janitors of their home arena.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1755770654084nba star kyle kuzma manila 4.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo by Philip Cu-Unjieng</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Kyle was asked to comment on how crazy the Filipinos are about basketball and whether our hearts could overcome what we lack in height. He tersely smiled and, without pandering to the crowd, said that the reality is that there are regularly 6’7” and 6’8” point guards now; so while heart is what’s needed to make it to a certain level of play, we can never discount the factor of height in a game like basketball. And I like that he was being so frank about our prospects, and didn’t just play the room.</p><p>At this point, Kyle was getting tired, and so we hope it wasn’t a Freudian slip when he remarked how this trip has been so “miserable.“ He caught himself right away and said he meant “memorable,“ which elicited laughs from his audience.</p><p>What did bring a smile to our faces was when he said that upon retiring from the NBA, and he first predicted that could still be ten years from now, when he is 40; he would like to take his game abroad, to enjoy the travelling and experience the culture—whether in Asia, Europe, or the Middle East, he could see himself spending a year or two doing that.</p><p>Prodded to consider the Philippines as that stop, I liked that he got all real and shot back with, “If the money is there.” After he left, some made the comment that it sounded so “<em>mukhang pera</em>,“ while I appreciated the honesty. At that stage of his life, if he’ll pack his bags and play beyond the NBA and the USA, of course, it has to be worth the effort. We’ve seen star football players from Europe do that by playing in the USA before they officially retire, and we’ve seen NBA players taking their game to China and Turkey. It&#x27;s always about cashing in, and why not?</p><p>Kuzmanila II arrived, and it was a real phenomenon!</p><div><br/></div><p>Lead photo from <strong>@okadamanila</strong><strong></strong></p>

<p>Kuzmanila II arrived, and it was a real phenomenon!</p>

Kuzmanila II arrived, and it was a real phenomenon!

The Kuzmanila II: NBA Champ Kyle Kuzma Gets Frank About Where He's Taking His Career

People

Fashion

Beauty

Wellness

Travel

Culture

Living

Food

Weddings

People

The Kuzmanila II: NBA Champ Kyle Kuzma Gets Frank About Where He's Taking His Career

Philip Cu-Unjieng

Published August 22, 2025 07:00 AM PHT

|

Updated August 22, 2025 07:06 AM PHT

Read More:

People

Sports

NBA

Kyle Kuzma

Metro.Style is your go-to destination for all things chic and stylish—featuring the latest in fashion, beauty, lifestyle, celebrity news, and inspiring stories. It's your curated guide to living your best life.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.