Kobe Bryant is Kyle Kuzma’s GOAT
Photo: Vyn Radovan
It didn’t take long for Kyle Kuzma to adhere himself to the Filipino basketball community.
Already a popular icon because of his ties to the Los Angeles Lakers, his skills on the court, and risk-taking fashion sense, the Flint, Michigan native added another reason for Filipinos to love him by saying that Kobe Bryant is the greatest player of all time.
The Philippines’ love for the Black Mamba is well documented.
“Yeah, of course, who’s the GOAT? Of course, Kobe,” the 29-year-old Washington Wizard said during a brand activation event for But First, Coffee at Mall of Asia on Sunday, August 25.
The versatile forward arrived in Manila on Sunday for a three-day visit that will include multiple stops, events, and programs.
Kuzma was drafted 27th overall by the Lakers in 2017, a year after Kobe’s famous “Mamba, out” line that marked the end of his illustrious career.
Despite not playing with each other, Kuzma and Bryant met a handful of times.
“Super valuable,” was how Kuzma described their time together. Even with Bryant now gone and Kuzma in the prime of his playing career, he still utilizes the lessons Kobe imparted on him.
“Every single day you wake up with a purpose in life. Doing things consistent, doing things with heart, doing things with passion, it’s super, super important and very fulfilling.”
So far it seems like Kuzma is approaching his trip to the Philippines with a ton of passion, even expressing his sentiments to the hundreds of fans who have already come out to see him.
“I cherish my time with him,” he added about Bryant, “the times I did have with him.”
ALL-STAR Magazine is the exclusive media partner of #KuzManila.
