Karl-Anthony Towns, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 7-foot center/forward, is officially heading to the New York Knicks. But it’s not just his moves on the court that are making waves. Earlier this year, KAT — as fans call him — was named the 2023-24 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion. Why? Because he’s been pushing for voting rights and making real changes in the justice and education systems. One of his biggest wins was helping pass a law in Minnesota that lets formerly incarcerated people vote again.
Before the news broke about his trade to the Knicks, Towns sat down to talk about his journey, both as a player and as a person. He opened up about how his Dominican and Black roots shaped him and why his community work matters so much. “To live the American dream, you’ve gotta help others get there too,” he said. “Being recognized for what I do off the court is what I’ve always wanted. I know that would make my mom prouder than anything I’ve done in the NBA.”
Towns recently announced he’s teaming up with GO Ministries and World Youth Clubs to build a top-tier youth basketball facility in the Dominican Republic, where his late mom was from. He’s all about giving back to the place that means so much to him. “Visiting the DR for the first time was like having ice cream for the first time—it was magical,” he said with a smile.
Growing up, Towns thought he’d end up playing baseball for the New York Yankees—”that was the Dominican in me,” he joked. But basketball stole his heart, and now he’s played for the Dominican Republic in big tournaments like the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
“I’m just happy I can use my platform to uplift the Hispanic community,” Towns said.
His work hasn’t gone unnoticed. NBC News recently featured him in their Hispanic Heritage spotlight, “The Latino 10: A Standout Year,” celebrating people whose impact really shined in 2024.
Towns is proving that it’s not just about what you do on the court. He’s out here making a difference for his people, using his voice and his platform to give back, inspire, and bring real change.
