Kobe Bufkin

Bufkin is an American guard who entered the NBA as a lottery pick in 2023 and has played for the Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Lakers after a decorated high school and college career at Michigan. His professional trajectory reflects a scoring guard with playmaking vision and defensive versatility.

Born Kobe Bufkin on September 21, 2003, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he attended Grand Rapids Christian High School. As a sophomore, he averaged 20 points, seven rebounds, and three assists and was named Division 2 second team All-State. As a junior, he averaged 22 points, five rebounds, and four assists and was named Division 2 first team All-State. As a senior, he averaged 25 points, seven rebounds, and five assists and was named a McDonald's All-American. He committed to Michigan, pushing the Wolverines' 2021 class to third nationally.

At Michigan, Bufkin earned third-team All-Big Ten honors as a sophomore in 2023. He declared for the 2023 NBA draft and was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the 15th overall pick. He played two seasons with the Hawks before moving to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Bufkin is a versatile guard with a smooth shooting stroke, deep range, and playmaking vision. He scores on catch-and-shoot threes, off-the-dribble pull-ups, and timely cuts to the basket. His size and length allow him to guard multiple positions, and his scoring instincts make him a valuable floor-spacing option.

Bufkin enters each season as a young guard with the Los Angeles Lakers, carrying the expectations of a lottery pick and a McDonald's All-American pedigree. His trajectory from a Michigan high school to a Wolverine standout and a first-round draft pick reflects scoring excellence and a commitment to expanding his offensive arsenal at every level.