Karl-Anthony Towns

American professional basketball player known for his versatile big man skills, combining interior dominance with exceptional three-point shooting ability.

Karl-Anthony Towns was born on 15 November 1995 in Edison, New Jersey, to Karl Towns Sr., an American who played and coached basketball, and Jacqueline Towns, who is Dominican, giving him dual American and Dominican citizenship that he has embraced throughout his career, representing the Dominican Republic national team since 2011. He starred at St. Joseph High School in New Jersey before playing one season at the University of Kentucky under John Calipari. Towns was selected first overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2015 NBA Draft, and won Rookie of the Year honours the following season, quickly developing a reputation as one of the finest shooting big men in NBA history, capable of stretching defences from beyond the three-point line despite standing 7 feet tall. Towns became the youngest player in Timberwolves history to record a triple-double, and earned multiple All-Star selections across a decade in Minnesota before being traded to the New York Knicks in 2024. His teammate Josh Hart gave him the enduring nickname "Bodega Kat," a tribute to his all-around offensive versatility. Towns has continued to be one of the most statistically productive centres in the league with the Knicks, and has used his platform to advocate for immigrant communities, having helped pass legislation in Minnesota supporting formerly incarcerated individuals. He remains a hero to many in the Dominican Republic, one of the most prominent basketball ambassadors the country has ever produced.

Stretch big man with elite shooting and post skills

Modern center who revolutionized the position with 3-point shooting

• NBA Rookie of Year 2016
• All-Star 4x
• NBA 3-Point Champion 2024
• NBA champion (2026)
• NBA Cup champion (2025)