Dubrovnik has seen many famous faces over the years, but this weekend the city welcomed a name from a slightly different world of glamour, sport and celebrity culture. Kyle Kuzma, NBA champion, Milwaukee Bucks forward and one of the co-owners of Sierra Racing Club, was spotted in Dubrovnik during the Adriatic Luxury Hotels E1 Dubrovnik GP 2026.
The American basketball star followed the first official training sessions in the waters in front of the historic city, where E1 teams tested their electric RaceBird boats ahead of the qualifying rounds. His arrival added another layer of celebrity attention to an event that already brings together sport, technology, luxury hospitality and global names from the worlds of entertainment and athletics.
Who is Kyle Kuzma?
For basketball fans, Kyle Kuzma needs little introduction. Born on 24 July 1995, he is a 6 ft 8 in forward who played college basketball at the University of Utah before entering the NBA as a first-round pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. He is currently listed as a forward for the Milwaukee Bucks, wearing number 18.
Kuzma first became widely known during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he quickly built a reputation as a confident, versatile and stylish young player. His career reached a major milestone in 2020, when he became an NBA champion with the Lakers. NBA.com also lists him among its recognised award holders, including an NBA championship and an All-Rookie Team selection.
From basketball to boat racing
Kuzma’s visit to Dubrovnik was not just a celebrity appearance. He is directly connected to the E1 Championship as a co-owner of Sierra Racing Club, alongside Belgian football star and Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The team’s official E1 profile lists Kuzma and Courtois as team owners, with Catie Munnings and Erik Stark as pilots.
That mix of basketball, football and electric powerboat racing fits perfectly with the identity of E1, a championship that has attracted global names such as Will Smith, Tom Brady, Rafael Nadal, LeBron James and Steve Aoki. In Dubrovnik, that celebrity-driven sports world met one of the most recognisable coastlines in the Mediterranean.
A style name beyond the game
Kuzma is not only known for basketball. Over the years, he has become one of the NBA players most closely followed for his personal style. His fashion choices, especially his pre-game looks, have often been discussed far beyond sports media. More recently, GQ described his style evolution as a move towards a more minimalist and refined look, while still keeping a strong connection to high fashion.
That is part of what makes Kuzma such a natural fit for the celebrity side of the E1 story. He represents a new kind of athlete: one who moves between sport, business, fashion and lifestyle culture with ease.
His love story with Winnie Harlow
Kuzma’s name is also familiar to followers of fashion and celebrity news through his relationship with Canadian model Winnie Harlow. The couple became engaged in February 2025 during a romantic trip to Turks and Caicos. According to Vogue, Kuzma planned the proposal months in advance and designed the engagement ring himself.
Harlow, one of the most recognisable models of her generation, and Kuzma have often been seen as a fashion-forward celebrity couple, making his appearance in a destination like Dubrovnik even more fitting for international lifestyle media.
Dubrovnik’s celebrity weekend on the water
For Dubrovnik, Kuzma’s presence at the E1 weekend confirms the city’s growing role as a stage not only for culture and tourism, but also for high-profile international sporting events. The E1 Dubrovnik GP combines speed, design, sustainability and celebrity appeal, creating the kind of spectacle that naturally belongs in front of the city walls.
As electric RaceBirds flew over the Adriatic and teams prepared for a decisive racing weekend, Kyle Kuzma’s appearance gave the event an additional touch of NBA glamour. From the basketball court to the sea in front of Dubrovnik, Kuzma has shown that his next chapter is not only about sport, but also about innovation, ownership and global style.
Photo: Ivan Pozniak
