Karl-Anthony Towns Jr., commonly known as KAT, stands as a towering figure in the world of professional basketball. Born on November 15, 1995, in Edison, New Jersey, he is a Dominican-American athlete currently making waves as a power forward/center for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Towns, with his impressive height of 7 feet and a weight of 248 pounds, has become a key player for the Timberwolves, donning jersey number 32. His basketball journey began in his early years, growing up in Piscataway, New Jersey. Raised by an African-American father, Karl Towns Sr., and a Dominican mother, Jacqueline Cruz, Towns experienced a rich cultural blend that would later influence his identity on and off the court.
The early seeds of Towns’ basketball prowess were sown in his high school years at St. Joseph High School in Metuchen, New Jersey. As a freshman, he led his team to a state championship in 2012, and this early success marked him as a rising star in the basketball scene. Towns continued to excel, securing state titles in 2013 and 2014, solidifying his status as one of the top high school players in the country.
His exceptional skills also earned him a spot on the Dominican Republic national basketball team at the age of 16. This early international exposure showcased Towns’ talent on a global stage, setting the stage for a promising future in the sport. His eligibility to represent the Dominican Republic was rooted in his mother’s heritage, a connection that added a layer of cultural significance to his basketball journey.
Towns made a pivotal decision in December 2012 when he announced his commitment to play for the Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team. Coached by John Calipari, who had previously coached him as part of the Dominican Republic national team, Towns transitioned to the collegiate level with high expectations. ESPN, ranking him as the top prospect in the 2015 recruiting class, highlighted his potential impact on the Wildcats.
During his high school career, Towns achieved remarkable feats, including recording a quadruple-double on January 6, 2013, with 16 points, 17 rebounds, 11 blocks, and 11 assists. His extraordinary abilities continued to shine as he notched a second quadruple-double on January 5, 2014, with 20 points, 14 rebounds, 12 blocks, and 10 assists. These performances solidified his reputation as a dominant force on the court.
In the 2014–15 season at Kentucky, Towns played a pivotal role in the team’s unique “platoon system,” which limited the minutes of each player. Despite the shared playing time, he averaged 10.3 points and 6.7 rebounds in 21.1 minutes per game. Towns’ decision to study kinesiology at Kentucky and his aspiration to become a doctor after his basketball career underscored his dedication to both academics and athletics.
The culmination of his collegiate career saw Towns enter the NBA draft in 2015. Selected as the first overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves, he embarked on a professional journey that would soon establish him as a rising star in the league. Towns signed his rookie scale contract on July 7, 2015, and made a stellar debut in the Timberwolves’ season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 28, 2015, recording 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Throughout his rookie season, Towns showcased his versatility and impact on the court. On January 20, 2016, he had a season-best game with 27 points, 17 rebounds, and six blocks. His remarkable performance earned him the title of Western Conference Rookie of the Month for January—a testament to his rapid adaptation to the professional level.
Towns continued to make history in his rookie season, breaking records such as the Minnesota rookie rebounding record by grabbing 10 rebounds against the Washington Wizards on March 25, 2016. He finished the season with 82 games played, averaging 18.3 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, ultimately earning unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year honors.
The following seasons witnessed Towns’ growth and consolidation of his status as a franchise player for the Timberwolves. In the 2016–2017 season, he recorded a career-high 47 points and 18 rebounds against the New York Knicks on November 30, 2016. This marked the beginning of a trend as he consistently demonstrated improvement, achieving milestones such as his first career triple-double on December 28, 2016.
The 2017–2018 season marked a significant turning point in Towns’ career as he earned his first All-Star selection and All-NBA honors. He finished the season with 68 double-doubles, the most in the NBA, and played a pivotal role in securing the Timberwolves’ spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2004.
In September 2018, Towns signed a five-year, $190 million super-maximum extension with the Timberwolves, solidifying his commitment to the franchise. His on-court performances continued to dazzle, including a franchise-record 56 points against the Atlanta Hawks on March 28, 2018.
The 2019–2020 season marked a personal and professional challenge for Towns. The passing of his mother in April 2020 due to complications from COVID-19 cast a somber shadow over his life. Towns courageously navigated personal loss while maintaining a strong presence on the court, finishing the season with the highest scoring average of his career to date at 26.5 points per game.
In the 2020–2021 season, Towns faced further health challenges, contracting COVID-19 and missing 13 games. Despite the setbacks, he returned to the court with resilience, showcasing his skills with a career-high 11 assists on February 23, 2021.
The 2021–2022 season proved to be a banner year for Towns. On February 19, 2022, he made history by winning the Mountain Dew NBA Three-Point contest, becoming the first center to claim the title. He continued to make waves on March 14, 2022, recording a career-high and Timberwolves franchise-record 60 points in a game against the San Antonio Spurs.
As Towns entered the 2022–2023 season, injuries posed a new challenge. On November 28, 2022, he exited a game with a non-contact calf injury, leading to a period of rehabilitation. His return in April 2023 showcased his resilience, contributing significantly to the Timberwolves’ victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Beyond the basketball court, Towns has been a representative of the Dominican Republic internationally since 2012. His debut for his country at the 2012 Centrobasket at the
