Who are Kyle Kuzma’s parents? All you need to know about Winnie Harlow fiancé’s supportive family

Kyle Kuzma of the Milwaukee Bucks recently took to social media to announce his engagement to his girlfriend, Winnie Harlow. The pair, who have been dating for four years, got engaged ahead of Valentine's Day.

Kyle Kuzma has always spoken about his mother's pivotal role in his life, highlighting the immense sacrifices she made to raise him. Now, with the news of this celebration, fans are eager to know more about the player's supportive family.

The person behind Kyle Kuzma's rise to sporting success

Kyle Kuzma was raised by single mother Karri Kuzma, who had him while she was still in college. She has been supportive of Kyle his whole life and recognized his potential early on. She was a shot put champion and had won a track scholarship to Hillsdale College. Later, her pregnancy prompted her to leave college and return home to raise her newborn son alone.

In an interview with Detroit Free Press, Karri says:

"Looking back, I was close enough to finishing my degree that maybe I could have a found a way to stay and graduate, but I have no regrets because raising Kyle was the best decision I ever made."

She further adds, that the mother-son duo have faced many challenges, but Kyle has always been very determined to chase after his dreams.

"We certainly faced challenges, but I’ve always had a strong ethic that came from my grandfather and mother and I was not going to let the struggles get the best of us. Kyle learned a lot from our situation and developed the work ethic and determination to go after his dreams. What he’s done is no surprise to me.”

Karri later went on to get a degree in Business Administration and, according to her LinkedIn profile, is currently working as an office manager at a Dental clinic in Michigan. She is also the President of the Kyle Kuzma Family Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting single mothers.

Kuzma talks about how his mother's sacrifices have taught him important life lessons:

"When I was a kid, you know? I know a good life for sure, but it was also challenging growing up in Michigan. Growing up with a single mother, my mom worked a bunch of different jobs, two jobs sometimes.”

Kyle, who has never met his biological dad, considers Larry Smith, her mother's partner for 13 years, as a father figure. Larry and Karri share two children, Andrew and Briana, who are half-siblings to Kyle.

“It’s not a big deal to me, not knowing my actual father, because I got used to it growing up and (Larry) has been great to me. He was the first person I played basketball with after he and my mom put up a Little Tykes hoop in the living room.” Kuzma explained in a video.

Kyle Kuzma, who is bi-racial navigated a complex racial identity growing up. He talks about how he never fit, and was always rejected by sides, which made him struggle to find his true place.

"I’m mixed (my mom is white and my dad is black), and as far as my identity growing up, it was really in the eye of the beholder,” he remarked.

“When I was a kid, some of the black kids in my neighborhood would say, ‘You’re not black.’ But then when I got to Bentley High, all of a sudden I’m like one of the only black kids at an all-white school. I heard all kinds of racist things, racist jokes.” he added.

The NBA forward proposed to Winnie Harlow in a grand gesture. Kuzma planned a Valentine's Day gateway to Turks and Caicos. While on their way there, he read her a poem before proposing to her. The newly engaged couple were joined by their families, with Karri taking to her social media to share the news of her son's engagement.

"Proud of you both! We kept that secret !" she wrote in the caption.

In her Instagram story, the proud mother wrote,

"She said yes ❤️ The engagement was picture perfect! Keeping the secret was TORTURE! My baby getting married and he did everything like a gentleman."

Kyle Kuzma proposed to Harlow with a breathtaking 8.5-carat diamond ring, with two beautiful baguette-cut stones on the side, which he spent months designing. The newly engaged couple are yet to announce a date for their special day.