Kuzma learning, working through freshman struggles


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SALT LAKE CITY — Cleaning crews and media members were all that remained in an empty Huntsman Center following a 75-59 victory over Stanford. Members of the University of Utah basketball team had come and gone, celebrating with teammates and family members following another decisive Utah home victory.

Out walked freshman Kyle Kuzma onto the court alone, bouncing a ball and still in a jersey. Slowly and methodically, Kuzma lined up at the free-throw line taking shot after shot before advancing on to various spots on the court. The sound of the bouncing basketball in contrast to the empty arena was striking for a freshman who has not seen the court much in his first season.

In just a few months at the University of Utah, Kuzma is finding out the freshman experience takes a lot of work, and often does not go exactly as planned. As a highly talked about recruit from Michigan with offers from several top programs, Kuzma was seen as a freshman that could have an instant impact from the start — a position he bought into.

Kuzma has played in every game but the Stanford game this season and is averaging 3.7 points and 2.0 rebounds in 9.1 minutes per game. But Kuzma said he’s determined to get better and prove his worth to his coaches, teammates and fans.


I thought coming in things would be a little bit easier, but as a freshman it's obviously not because you've got upperclassmen and guys that have been through the battles. You've just got to work hard and follow their lead.

–Kyle Kuzma


“There’s been some ups and downs, but I think the biggest thing is staying positive and keep listening to the coaches and doing whatever they ask me to do,” Kuzma said.

Kuzma admits he expected to play more his freshman year and has been disappointed with the lack of playing time. But after having conversations with head coach Larry Krystkowiak and teammates, particularly junior guard Brandon Taylor, Kuzma said he’s refocused and is working to contribute to the program in any capacity.

“I thought coming in things would be a little bit easier, but as a freshman it’s obviously not because you’ve got upperclassmen and guys that have been through the battles,” he said. “You’ve just got to work hard and follow their lead.”

Kuzma said he tries to approach each day similar to that of Taylor when he was a freshman — a player that fought for his eventual starting job after few minutes for much of his freshman season.

“I just think about what he did; he never stopped working and came into practice every day with a chip on his shoulder,” Kuzma said. “He just competed and that’s what I’m trying to do now.”

Although Kuzma appears to have the right attitude moving forward, seeing other freshman — Jakob Poeltl, Brekkott Chapman and Isaiah Wright — play more minutes has been a difficult pill to swallow.

“I think you need to have a little bit of adversity in order to be successful,” Krystkowiak said. “You need to kinda get knocked in the dirt a little bit, and that’s what happens a lot of the time with freshmen.”

Krystkowiak said Kuzma has, from time to time, entertained thoughts of transferring — or at least had the attitude — where he could get more playing time. But after some discussions about playing time and his attitude, Krystkowiak said Kuzma has shown signs of progress and is responding.

“There was a little bit of a moment of truth maybe a month ago where there was a little bit of that (transferring attitude) starting to creep in,” Krystkowiak said. “We’ve had some discussions and he’s been bringing his lunchbox every day to practice and he’s open to learning and he’s working hard.”

Krystkowiak added that Kuzma is one of the better rebounders on the team and has “a knack for going and getting the rebounds” at either the three or four position. Although the playing time hasn’t been equal to that of either Poeltl or Chapman this season, Krystkowiak said Kuzma is in a position to have a successful career if he continues to come to practice and put in the work each day.

“He’s got a bright future and he’s done it the right way so far,” Krystkowiak said. “From my perspective he’s an easy guy to cheer for. And if you go out there and practice and earn some minutes, then you’re going to be rewarded with them — and I think that’s what happened.”

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