Kyle Kuzma Parents: Meet Karri Kuzma and Larry Smith, the Family Behind the NBA Star

Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma delivered a 27-point performance against the Boston Celtics on November 8, showing flashes of his scoring ability despite Milwaukee’s 117-97 defeat. As the former NBA champion continues his career with the Bucks, his journey from a challenging childhood in Flint, Michigan, remains an important part of his story. His mother, Karri Kuzma, and stepfather, Larry Smith, played significant roles in shaping the basketball player he eventually became.

Kuzma was primarily raised by his mother, who worked several jobs to support her children. His biological father was largely absent from his upbringing, while Larry Smith became an important father figure. The family’s financial struggles, frequent moves and strong connection to basketball helped shape Kuzma’s determination to succeed.

Who Are Kyle Kuzma’s Parents?

Kyle Kuzma was born on July 24, 1995, in Flint, Michigan, to his mother, Karri Kuzma. His biological father’s identity has not been widely established through reliable public reporting.

Larry Smith, the father of Kuzma’s younger siblings, helped raise him and became the father figure he recognized throughout childhood.

Kuzma grew up alongside his younger sister, Briana, and younger brother, Andre. The three children spent much of their early lives in Flint, where their mother worked to provide financial stability.

His childhood was marked by frequent changes in housing and the difficulties associated with growing up in a financially struggling household.

Despite those challenges, Karri encouraged her children to pursue their interests and remain focused on education.

Basketball eventually became Kyle’s greatest passion, giving him a sense of direction and an opportunity to pursue a different future.

Who Is Kyle Kuzma’s Mother Karri Kuzma?

Karri Kuzma is a former track-and-field athlete who raised Kyle and his two younger siblings in Michigan.

She attended LakeVille High School, where she excelled in athletics, particularly the shot put.

Her performances earned her a track-and-field scholarship to Hillsdale College.

However, her plans changed when she discovered she was pregnant with Kyle during her junior year.

Karri left college and returned to the Flint area, where she began raising her son while supporting herself financially.

She worked in several industries, including restaurants, retail, manufacturing and healthcare administration.

At different points, she held jobs at General Motors, worked as a massage therapist and managed dental offices.

Her employment often required long hours, leaving her dependent on relatives for help with childcare.

Despite the difficulties, Karri remained committed to providing her children with opportunities.

Kuzma has repeatedly credited his mother for teaching him the importance of discipline, sacrifice and financial responsibility.

Her influence has remained central to his personal life even after he achieved professional success.

Who Is Kyle Kuzma’s Stepfather Larry Smith?

Larry Smith is Kyle Kuzma’s stepfather and the biological father of his younger siblings, Briana and Andre.

Smith worked as a truck driver and helped raise the children during their early years.

Although he was not Kyle’s biological father, Kuzma has described him as an important influence.

One of Smith’s most memorable contributions was introducing Kyle to basketball.

When Kuzma was approximately two years old, Karri and Larry installed a small children’s basketball hoop in their living room.

The toy quickly became a favorite activity for the young boy.

Kuzma later recalled that Larry was among the first people who played basketball with him.

Those early experiences helped develop an interest that eventually became his professional career.

Karri and Larry later separated, but Kuzma has continued acknowledging the role Smith played during his childhood.

His relationship with his stepfather demonstrates that the people who raise and support a child can have a lasting influence regardless of biological connections.

What Is Known About Kyle Kuzma’s Biological Father?

Kyle Kuzma has spoken publicly about growing up without a relationship with his biological father.

His father was not involved in raising him, and Kuzma has no meaningful memories of spending time with him.

According to accounts of his childhood, his biological father briefly met him when he was still an infant.

Karri was attending a college graduation ceremony when the meeting occurred.

Afterward, his father did not maintain an ongoing relationship with the family.

Kuzma has explained that the absence did not prevent him from developing meaningful relationships with other family members.

He instead recognized Larry Smith as a father figure and relied heavily on his mother’s support.

His biological father’s name and personal background have not been reliably established in major interviews about Kuzma’s childhood.

The basketball player has generally focused on the relatives who were present throughout his upbringing rather than discussing his absent father.

Does Kyle Kuzma Have Any Siblings?

Kyle Kuzma has two younger maternal half-siblings, a sister named Briana and a brother named Andre.

Both grew up alongside him in Flint, Michigan.

Briana was born in April 1997, approximately two years after Kyle.

Andre is the youngest of the three children and also developed an interest in basketball.

The siblings experienced many of the same financial challenges during childhood.

Their mother frequently moved the family between different homes while searching for affordable housing and safer neighborhoods.

At one point, the family lived in the basement of a relative’s home after Karri experienced employment difficulties.

Those experiences helped create a close relationship between the siblings.

When Kuzma entered the NBA, improving his family’s living conditions became one of his priorities.

He eventually helped move his mother, brother and sister into a more comfortable home in Grand Blanc, Michigan.

The gesture reflected his desire to provide the stability his family had struggled to maintain during his childhood.

How Did Kyle Kuzma’s Parents Influence His Basketball Career?

Kyle Kuzma developed his interest in basketball while growing up in Flint.

His mother encouraged him to remain focused on sports rather than becoming involved in negative influences around his neighborhood.

Kuzma frequently practiced at local basketball courts and spent considerable time improving his skills.

He attended Bentley High School in Burton, Michigan, where he became a standout player.

During his junior season, he averaged approximately 17.9 points and 14.4 rebounds per game.

He later transferred to Rise Academy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to improve his opportunities for college recruitment.

The move required him to leave home, but his mother supported the decision because she believed it could help him reach his goals.

Kuzma eventually received an opportunity to play college basketball at the University of Utah.

He spent three seasons with the Utes and became one of the team’s leading players.

During the 2016-17 season, he averaged 16.4 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.

His performances earned first-team All-Pac-12 recognition and helped establish him as an NBA prospect.

The Brooklyn Nets selected him with the 27th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft before trading his rights to the Los Angeles Lakers.

For Karri, watching her son reach the NBA represented the culmination of years of sacrifice and determination.

Kyle Kuzma’s Family Foundation and Support for Single Mothers

Kuzma’s childhood experiences have influenced his charitable work.

After establishing himself in professional basketball, he created the Kyle Kuzma Family Foundation to support single mothers and children facing financial difficulties.

The organization focuses on providing resources, educational opportunities and assistance to families experiencing hardship.

Karri Kuzma has been actively involved in the foundation’s work.

Her personal experiences raising three children while managing multiple jobs helped shape its mission.

The foundation has supported community initiatives, including housing assistance, school supplies and programs benefiting disadvantaged families.

In 2023, Kuzma received the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for November in recognition of his charitable activities.

The recognition highlighted his commitment to helping families facing challenges similar to those he experienced growing up.

His foundation also reflects the importance of acknowledging the sacrifices made by single parents.

Rather than separating his professional success from his upbringing, Kuzma has used his platform to support people dealing with comparable circumstances.

Kyle Kuzma’s Family Life and NBA Career Today

Kyle Kuzma has built a successful NBA career while maintaining strong connections to his family and hometown.

He won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 before joining the Washington Wizards in 2021.

In February 2025, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, beginning another stage of his professional career.

Away from basketball, Kuzma is engaged to Canadian supermodel Winnie Harlow.

The couple announced their engagement in February 2025 after dating for several years.

Despite his success and public profile, Kuzma continues to recognize the importance of his upbringing.

His mother Karri remains closely connected to his charitable work, while Larry Smith’s early encouragement helped introduce him to basketball.

The family’s journey from financial uncertainty in Flint to professional success illustrates the influence of persistence and support.

For Kyle Kuzma, his parents’ contributions remain an important part of the story behind his achievements, particularly the sacrifices made by his mother to give her children better opportunities.