Before this year, NBA players routinely got in runs playing in pro-am leagues during the summer. However, LeBron James’ presence in the Drew League last month sparked a renewed interest. Players around the league have been spotted almost daily in some pro-am games.
Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma joined the fun and he did so in a major way. Kuzma dropped 67 points in the Utah Powder League Pro-Am Showcase on Tuesday night.
Alongside Kuzma was his reunited teammate Delon Wright. The two played a season together in college at the University of Utah. They’ll once again be teammates this upcoming season after Wright signed with the Wizards this offseason.
On Tuesday night, Kuzma’s team beat a team that consisted of his former teammate with the Wizards and Los Angeles Lakers Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and reigning NBA Rookie of the Year, Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes.
Fellow NBA players, Donovan Mitchell and LeBron James acknowledged Kuzma for his big game.
Kuzma is coming off his first season with the Wizards. He was part of the Russell Westbrook trade that shipped Kuzma, along with Caldwell-Pope and Montrezl Harrell from the Lakers to the Wizards. However, at the age of 27, Kuzma is the lone piece of the trade that will be on the Wizards roster going into next season.
Last season, Kuzma averaged 17.1 points with career-highs of 8.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
The Wizards are looking to improve on their 35-47 record from a season ago. Bradley Beal re-signed with Washington on a $251 million, five-year supermax deal. Kristaps Porzingis is coming back for his first full season after being traded to the Wizards last trade deadline.
The trio of Beal, Porzingis and Kuzma are expected to lead the Wizards back to the postseason.
