EL SEGUNDO – The Los Angeles Lakers are seeing forward Kyle Kuzma come into his own in his sophomore campaign. The Utah product has begun to take his game to another level with an emphasis on improving his all-around skillset.

After practice on Wednesday, Kuzma was asked about working out with Kobe Bryant and if his confidence is a reflection of the future Hall of Famer's. Kuzma was quick to say it's his work ethic that gives him the confidence that he plays with on a nightly basis.

“I wouldn't say that…That's what I would do,” Kuzma said. “I'm just always super confident because of my work ethic. I really just tried to build off a good year last year this summer to get better and work on the things that I wasn't good at, and I think now people are seeing it, especially when I have the ball in my hands a little bit more.”

The second-year forward also talked about his relationship with Bryant and whether it could turn into a long-term friendship with the five-time champion. Kobe has played a role in Kuzma's progression up to this point

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“Yeah, I think so,” Kuzma said. “He's always been a good resource ever since I met him. Any time I have questions or I can send him film; he'll hit me back pretty quickly and tell me what he thinks. It helps me out a lot.”

With Brandon Ingram being on the shelf with an ankle injury, Kuzma has stepped up his game while also improving in all areas. Head coach Luke Walton has emphasized a need for the forward to improve his rebounding and distributing the basketball. He's done just that with Walton having nothing but praise for the Kuzma and crediting the forward's work ethic for a reason for his improvement as of late.

“Hard work,” Walton said. “Wanting to be great. Wanting to win. Wanting for our team to succeed. He's a natural scorer, but for him to really reach his best and us to reach our best, he's got to do more, and he embraces that and wants that challenge. I think it's starting to pay off for him as an all-around player and for us as a team.”

In 27 games thus far this season, Kuzma is averaging 17.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. Over the past nine games, Kuzma has scored 20 points or more seven times while also ripping down seven or more rebounds in seven straight games.