Karl-Anthony Towns

 

Karl-Anthony Towns Jr. (born November 15, 1995), nicknamed “KAT,” is a Dominican-American professional basketball player for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 7 feet (2.13 m) and weighing 248 pounds (112 kg), Towns primarily plays as a center and sometimes as a power forward. 

 

He played one season of college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats before being selected first overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2015 NBA Draft. Towns was the unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year in 2016, becoming only the fifth player in history to receive every first-place vote. He is a five-time NBA All-Star (2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024) and was selected to the All-NBA three times (2018, 2023). In 2022, Towns became the first center in NBA history to win the Three-Point Contest. He represents the Dominican Republic in international competition.

 

Early Life and Family

 

Towns was born on November 15, 1995, in Edison, New Jersey, to Karl Towns Sr. and Jacqueline Cruz. His father played college basketball at Monmouth University, while his mother was born in the Dominican Republic and grew up in the United States. His mother, Jacqueline, tragically passed away on April 13, 2020, from COVID-19 complications during the pandemic.

 

Towns attended St. Joseph High School in Metuchen, New Jersey, where he emerged as one of the nation’s elite prospects. As a senior, he averaged 20.9 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 7.6 blocks per game, earning McDonald’s All-American honors and being named New Jersey’s Gatorade Player of the Year. He was rated as a consensus five-star recruit and the top center in the 2014 class.

College Career

 

Towns committed to the University of Kentucky and played for coach John Calipari during the 2014-15 season. As a freshman, he started all 39 games and averaged 10.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and a nation-leading 2.3 blocks per game in just 21.1 minutes. He led Kentucky in rebounds and blocks while finishing second in scoring behind Willie Cauley-Stein.

 

Towns was named the SEC Freshman of the Year, to the First Team All-SEC, and to the SEC All-Freshman Team. He helped Kentucky achieve a 38-0 regular-season record before the Wildcats lost to Wisconsin 71-64 in the Final Four, their lone loss of the season. Following the season, Towns declared for the 2015 NBA Draft.

 

NBA Career

 

Minnesota Timberwolves (2015–2024)

 

On June 25, 2015, Towns was selected first overall by Minnesota, the first Dominican player ever, to be selected first in the NBA Draft and the third consecutive number one pick on the Timberwolves roster, joining Andrew Wiggins (2014) and Anthony Bennett (2013). He made his NBA debut on October 28, recording 14 points and 12 rebounds in a 112-111 win over the Lakers.

 

Towns played and started all 82 games in his rookie season, averaging 18.3 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. He earned Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors in all six months of the season, the first Timberwolves player to achieve this feat. Towns became only the fifth unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year winner, joining Ralph Sampson (1984), David Robinson (1990), Blake Griffin (2011), and Damian Lillard (2013). With Wiggins winning the previous year, Minnesota became the first team with back-to-back Rookie of the Year winners since the Buffalo Braves in 1972-73 (Bob McAdoo) and 1973-74 (Ernie DiGregorio).

 

On November 30, 2016, Towns recorded a then-career-high 47 points and 18 rebounds against the Knicks. On January 5, 2018, he posted 25 points and a career-high 23 rebounds against Boston. He earned his first All-Star selection in 2018, beginning a stretch of sustained excellence.

 

Towns signed a five-year, $158 million designated rookie maximum extension on September 23, 2018. In 2019-20, he averaged career-highs at the time with 26.5 points and 10.8 rebounds. On February 11, 2022, Towns became the first center to win the NBA Three-Point Contest, making 29 three-pointers during the final round.

 

The 2023-24 season brought Towns’ greatest team success. The Timberwolves finished with a  56-26 record and reached the Western Conference Finals for the first time in 20 years. In the first round against Phoenix, Towns scored 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in Game 4 to close out the series, Minnesota’s first playoff series win in 20 years. In Game 7 of the Conference Semifinals against Denver, he posted 23 points and 12 rebounds in a 98-90 victory. Though Minnesota lost to Dallas in five games in the Conference Finals, Towns averaged 24.4 points and 12.8 rebounds during the season.

 

New York Knicks (2024–Present)

 

On October 2, 2024, Towns was traded to New York in a three-team deal involving Charlotte, with Minnesota receiving Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. The trade shocked Towns, who later stated he was “still stunned” by the move.

 

Towns made his Knicks debut on October 25, 2024, recording 12 points and 10 rebounds in a 132-109 loss to Boston. On October 29, he posted 44 points and 13 rebounds in a 116-107 win over Miami. On December 16, 2024, Towns helped the Knicks win their first NBA Cup championship, defeating San Antonio. He finished his first season averaging 19.7 points and 11.9 rebounds.

 

Through the 2025-26 season, Towns is averaging 19.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. He was selected for his fifth All-Star Game. However, his defensive limitations have drawn criticism from Knicks coaches and media, with reports indicating frustration with his defensive habits.

 

International Career

 

Towns has represented the Dominican Republic since age 16, playing in multiple FIBA competitions. In 2018, he and Al Horford both made the NBA All-Star Game, marking the first time two players with Dominican ties appeared in one All-Star Game.

 

Personal Life

Towns has been in a relationship and is engaged to model Jordyn Woods since 2020. 

 

References

 

External Links

* Karl-Anthony Towns on NBA.com

* Karl-Anthony Towns on Basketball-Reference.com