Kyle Kuzma says Filipino basketball players need more than heart, luck to reach NBA
For Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma, heart may ignite the dream, but it is hard work and discipline that turn it into reality, especially in a league where height still matters like the NBA.
"Yes [heart can overcome height and athletic ability], but sometimes you know, you just run out of height, especially in the game of basketball," Kuzma said in a press conference on Wednesday as part of his 'KuzManila II' at the Okada Manila.
"You look at it like this, you have point guards that are 6-foot-7. It's hard [because] it's a big league."
The Philippines has long hoped to see a homegrown player break into the NBA.
Most recently, two-time UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao tried his luck in the United States, joining private workouts and training sessions in his bid to become the first homegrown Filipino to reach the big league.
But the Gilas Pilipinas standout has yet to land a team — at least for now.
Still, Kuzma believes cracking an NBA roster isn't far-fetched in today's era and while luck plays a role in opening doors, he warns that heart and luck alone won't be enough to make the dream a reality.
"But that doesn't mean you can't make it. At the end of the day, anybody really can make it, you just have to work, you have to have a lot of luck. It's super important part of being successful," the one-time NBA champion said.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
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Kyle Kuzma says Filipino basketball players need more than heart, luck to reach NBA
It's no secret how much Filipinos love the game of basketball. But can heart alone take us to the NBA? For Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma, heart may ignite the dream, but it is hard work and discipline that turn it into reality, especially in a league where height still matters like the NBA. "Yes [heart can overcome height and athletic ability], but sometimes you know, you just run out of height, especially in the game of basketball," Kuzma said in a press conference on Wednesday as part of his 'KuzManila II' at the Okada Manila. "You look at it like this, you have point guards that are 6-foot-7. It's hard [because] it's a big league." The Philippines has long hoped to see a homegrown player break into the NBA. Most recently, two-time UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao tried his luck in the United States, joining private workouts and training sessions in his bid to become the first homegrown Filipino to reach the big league. But the Gilas Pilipinas standout has yet to land a team — at least for now. Still, Kuzma believes cracking an NBA roster isn't far-fetched in today's era and while luck plays a role in opening doors, he warns that heart and luck alone won't be enough to make the dream a reality. "But that doesn't mean you can't make it. At the end of the day, anybody really can make it, you just have to work, you have to have a lot of luck. It's super important part of being successful," the one-time NBA champion said. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
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