Kobe Bufkin is an American professional basketball player for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Michigan Wolverines and was selected by the Hawks with the 15th overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft.
Bufkin is a versatile guard who can play both shooting and point guard positions. He is known for his scoring ability, athleticism, and leadership skills. He was born to Kimberly Camp and Mike Bufkin, who have been supportive of his career path. Thus, Bufkin has two brothers.
Bufkin, a rising talent in basketball, is currently with the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA. His estimated net worth is around $700,000, primarily arising from his basketball career, including his rookie contract with the Hawks and his NIL deal.
Bufkin inked a four-year deal with the Atlanta Hawks worth $19,801,203, with the entire amount guaranteed. His yearly average salary amounts to $4,950,301. For the 2023-24 season, his base salary is set at $4,094,280, with corresponding cap hit and dead cap value of the same amount.
However, his net worth is expected to substantially increase as he excels in the NBA and secures additional opportunities. As a highly skilled guard with multifaceted abilities, he has the potential to emerge as a star player and amass significant wealth in the future.
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Bufkin began his basketball journey at Grand Rapids Christian High School in Michigan, where he made an immediate impact upon joining the varsity team as a freshman. His exceptional skills quickly elevated him to one of the top players in the state.
Throughout his high school career, he demonstrated impressive statistics, including averaging 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists per game as a sophomore, 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game as a junior, and 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists per game in five appearances during his senior year before sustaining a fractured left wrist.
His outstanding performance earned him a spot in the McDonald's All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic, making him the first player from Grand Rapids to achieve both distinctions.
Bufkin, a consensus four-star recruit, chose to play college basketball for Michigan over offers from LSU, DePaul, Michigan State, and Ohio State due to the influence of assistant coach Saddi Washington and head coach Juwan Howard. He joined Caleb Houstan and Moussa Diabaté to form the top-ranked recruiting class in the nation for the 2021-22 season.
In his freshman year, Bufkin played limited minutes, averaging three points and 1.1 rebounds per game. His standout performance against Southern Utah earned him co-Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors. Subsequently, he experienced a significant increase in playing time as a sophomore after key departures from the team.
During this breakout season, he posted impressive averages of 16.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game, with notable shooting percentages of 48.6% from the field and 40.2% from the three-point line.
Recognized for his achievements, he secured a spot on the third-team All-Big Ten and subsequently declared for the 2023 NBA draft, forgoing the remainder of his college eligibility.
Bufkin, the 15th overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks, marked the first Michigan player selected in the first round since Trey Burke in 2013. He officially signed his rookie contract with the Hawks on July 29, 2023, and debuted in the NBA on October 20, 2023, against the Dallas Mavericks.
Unfortunately, his rookie season was cut short due to a torn ACL in his left knee sustained on November 15, 2023, during a game against the Boston Celtics. Following surgery on November 22, 2023, he is expected to miss the entire 2023–24 season after averaging 0.5 points and 1.0 rebounds per game in four appearances prior to his injury.
In addition, he has garnered acclaim as a standout young talent in the NBA, drawing praise from peers and coaches alike. Often likened to players such as Bradley Beal, CJ McCollum, and Jamal Murray, he has embraced a role in community engagement, contributing to charitable causes and supporting local youth programs.
As a tribute to his late father, he wears the number 4, symbolizing the impact of his father's influence on his life.
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Kobe Bufkin, the talented guard of the Atlanta Hawks, has not been romantically linked to anyone in the media or on social media platforms. His focus seems directed toward his professional aspirations and recovery from a thumb injury sustained during a game against the New York Knicks.
The star, who has been impressing the NBA with his skills and potential, seems to be more interested in his career rather than involved in his love life. He has not revealed any information about his dating status or preferences. Maybe he will find his partner in the near future when he is ready to settle down.