Kuzma and Morris reflect on the first year as NBA teammates originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
One of the most wholesome storylines from the Wizards’ 2022-23 season was the reunion between Kyle Kuzma and Monte Morris. Kuzma and Morris have been on quite the journey together since growing up in Flint, Michigan, to now playing as NBA teammates in Washington.
Many NBA players dream of having the opportunity to play alongside a childhood best friend and also give back to the place where it all began. There is a certain chemistry and passion that is formed when playing basketball with someone who has been by your side since the second grade.
Kuzma and Morris have been on similar paths early in their NBA careers. Both were selected in the 2017 NBA Draft, played for Western Conference teams, and then eventually were traded to the Wizards.
They’ve had some competitive battles on the court, too. During the 2020 playoffs inside the NBA bubble, Kuzma’s Los Angeles Lakers went on to defeat Morris’ Denver Nuggets in five games and ultimately beat the Miami Heat for Kuzma’s first NBA title. Now teammates, they hope to win one together.
“You want to win for sure, but [playing together] was something that we accomplished, and it was a very fun year,” Kuzma said during an end-of-season interview. “Obviously us being kids, growing up, it’s so funny we come in here and we talk crap to each other, and we tell old stories about each other in front of everybody. He knows Kyle, he doesn’t know Kuz, he knows Kyle and I know him too. We have a great brotherhood too.”
Kuzma and Morris had no idea if they would ever wear the same threads in the NBA, but that all changed once Morris was traded to Washington in July, 2022. The two know each other very well, but learned more about each other as new teammates .
“He’s a guy who speaks up, he’s a guy who holds everyone accountable even when he wasn’t playing,” Morris said. “I always knew how smart he was, you know just growing up with him, but actually being in the locker room with him and things like that it’s different being a teammate. I was just excited to play with him, but I learned a lot from him this season for sure.”
Since their time growing up together, Kuzma has become sort of a fashion icon in the NBA thanks to his bold outfit choices for previous games. Morris appreciated Kuzma’s decision to lean into his fashion sense.
“I like the direction he took,” Morris told NBC Sports Washington’s Wes Hall. “Kuz for me he has always been like somebody who will step out of the box. You know, do his own thing, so I think that fits him. Fashion wise he is definitely top in the league as far as fashion.”
Kuzma and Morris shared some special moments this past season, but one stood out the most. On Mar. 7, the Wizards took on the Detroit Pistons, back in the state where it all began. Although Morris did not play due to an injury, it was an important game for them.
In interviews with Kuzma’s mom and Morris’ elementary school teacher on NBC Sports Washington’s broadcast, it was evident that Kuzma and Morris’ connection to their hometown remains strong.
At the end of the day, they are both competing for the same goal. To win a championship. In particular though, to win a championship together.
“It’s so hard to win a championship and I was so happy for him when he won it in the bubble,” Morris said during a sit-down with Kuzma and Wes Hall. “Even though they beat us in the Western Conference Finals, you can’t take that away from anyone. Me knowing him as a kid and how far he has come in his career and proved so many doubters wrong, it was just a great feeling to see that.”