Karl-Anthony Towns is an American–Dominican professional basketball player known for being one of the most skilled big men in modern NBA history. A dominant scorer, elite rebounder and rare three-point shooting center, he blends size, touch and versatility in a way few seven-footers ever have. After nearly a decade as the face of the Minnesota Timberwolves, he became the superstar centerpiece of the New York Knicks, leading deep playoff runs and rewriting franchise records. Beyond basketball, Towns is known for his intelligence, emotional resilience, activism and long-term relationship with model Jordyn Woods.
Quick Bio
- Full Name: Karl-Anthony Towns Jr.
- Nickname: KAT
- Date of Birth: November 15, 1995
- Age: 30 years old (as of 2025)
- Birthplace: Edison, New Jersey, USA
- Hometown: Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
- Nationality: American / Dominican
- Profession: NBA Basketball Player
- Years Active: 2015 – Present
- Position: Center / Power Forward
- Height: 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
- Weight: Approx. 248 lb (112 kg)
- Current Team: New York Knicks (NBA)
- Jersey Number: #32
- Draft: 2015 NBA Draft – 1st Round, 1st Overall (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- Known For: Elite shooting big man, three-level scoring, rebounding, All-Star seasons, modern “stretch five” skill set
- National Team: Dominican Republic men’s national basketball team
- Social Media: Instagram @karltowns – around 4 million followers (as of late 2025)
- Relationship Status: In a long-term relationship with model Jordyn Woods
- Net Worth: Estimated around $70–100 million as of 2025 (contracts, endorsements and investments)
Age Birthday and Early Life
Karl-Anthony Towns was born on November 15, 1995, in Edison, New Jersey, and grew up in nearby Piscataway. From an early age, his unusual combination of size, coordination and intelligence set him apart. He was taller than most of his peers and obsessed with the game, often staying in the gym long after practices ended.
As a student, Towns stood out not just as an athlete, but also academically. He was known as a straight-A student and even repeated a grade to give himself more time to develop both physically and on the court, showing how seriously he and his family approached his long-term growth.
Parents Siblings and Family Background
Karl-Anthony Towns was born to Karl Towns Sr., an African-American former college basketball player and coach, and Jacqueline Cruz, a Dominican native.
His father played at Monmouth University and later coached high school basketball, often bringing young Karl into the gym and allowing him to practice with older players.
His mother, Jacqueline, was a central figure in his life and identity. Through her, Towns embraced his Dominican heritage and later represented the Dominican Republic national team.
Her support went beyond sports; she encouraged his education, maturity and faith. Her death in 2020 due to complications from COVID-19 had a profound emotional impact on him and remains one of the defining personal moments in his life.
Early Life and Education
Towns attended Lake Nelson Seventh-Day Adventist School and later Theodore Schor Middle School, where he repeated seventh grade to gain an extra year for physical and basketball development.
He eventually enrolled at St. Joseph High School in Metuchen, New Jersey, a powerhouse program where he turned into one of the best high school players in the country.
At St. Joseph, he led his team to multiple state championships and collected national honors, including Gatorade National Player of the Year and McDonald’s All-American recognition.
Academically, he was interested in science and later studied kinesiology at the University of Kentucky, expressing long-term aspirations in medicine and continuing to take online classes even after entering the NBA.
College Career
Karl-Anthony Towns played one season of college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats (2014–2015) under coach John Calipari. Kentucky famously used a “platoon” system, spreading minutes across a deep roster, which kept his per-game stats modest but showcased his efficiency and versatility.
In limited minutes, Towns averaged double-digit points and strong rebounding while anchoring the defense. He helped Kentucky reach a 38–1 record and a trip to the Final Four.
By the end of the season, he was widely viewed as the top prospect in the 2015 NBA Draft thanks to his defensive upside, length, mobility and emerging offensive skill, leading him to declare for the draft after his freshman year.
Career and Achievements
In the 2015 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves selected Karl-Anthony Towns with the first overall pick. He immediately delivered on expectations, winning NBA Rookie of the Year and quickly establishing himself as one of the league’s most advanced offensive big men.
His ability to score inside, handle the ball, shoot from three and rebound at a high level made him the franchise cornerstone in Minnesota.
Over nine seasons with the Timberwolves, Towns became one of the best scoring centers in the league and climbed near the top of the franchise’s all-time leaderboards.
He evolved from a promising young talent into an All-Star and All-NBA player, highlighted by his rare combination of post scoring, pick-and-pop shooting and high-volume three-point efficiency for a seven-footer.
In 2022, Towns added another unique milestone by winning the NBA Three-Point Contest, becoming the first center ever to claim the title, further cementing his status as an elite shooting big man.
In 2024, he helped lead the Timberwolves to a deep playoff run, reaching the Western Conference Finals for the first time in two decades.
Later that year, he was traded to the New York Knicks in a blockbuster deal, immediately transforming New York’s frontcourt and helping the team reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years.
Major achievements include:
- NBA Rookie of the Year (2016)
- Multiple-time NBA All-Star (five selections)
- Multiple All-NBA Team selections (All-NBA Third Team multiple years)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team
- NBA Three-Point Contest Champion (first center ever to win)
- Led Minnesota to the Western Conference Finals (2024)
- Led New York to the Eastern Conference Finals (2025)
- Surpassed major career milestones before age 30, including 15,000+ points and 7,000+ rebounds
On offense, Towns is considered one of the best three-level scoring bigs of his era, capable of dominating in the post, attacking off the dribble and stretching defenses from deep. His unique skill set often forces opponents into mismatches and changes how teams defend the center position.
Career Timeline
- 2015 – Drafted 1st overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves
- 2015–2016 – Wins NBA Rookie of the Year with dominant debut season
- 2016–2019 – Establishes himself as franchise player and one of the league’s top young big men
- 2018 – Signs major long-term contract extension with Minnesota
- 2020–2022 – Continues All-Star level production; develops into elite shooting big and team leader
- 2022 – Signs four-year supermax extension with Timberwolves
- 2024 – Leads Timberwolves to Western Conference Finals
- October 2024 – Traded to New York Knicks in a blockbuster multi-team deal
- 2024–2025 – Becomes centerpiece of Knicks’ frontcourt, helps team reach Eastern Conference Finals
- 2025 – Reaches historic statistical milestones before age 30 while anchoring the Knicks as an All-Star center
Personal Life
Off the court, Karl-Anthony Towns is known as thoughtful, family-oriented and open about both his successes and struggles. He has spoken extensively about the impact of losing his mother, Jacqueline, to COVID-19 in 2020, as well as the additional losses of other family members during the pandemic. These experiences influenced his outlook on life, resilience and advocacy for health awareness.
He has also been active in social justice and community engagement, supporting voting rights initiatives and participating in public conversations about equality and reform. His willingness to address serious topics has earned him respect beyond basketball and recognition from league and community organizations.
Relationship and Love Life
Karl-Anthony Towns is in a long-term relationship with American model and socialite Jordyn Woods. The two were friends for years before officially beginning to date around 2020. Since then, they have become one of the more visible NBA–celebrity couples, frequently supporting each other’s careers and appearing together at events, games and family occasions.
Both Towns and Woods have been open about how they help each other through personal highs and lows, including the loss of Towns’s mother and intense media attention around their relationship.
Engagement rumors have circulated due to visible jewelry and social posts, but as of 2025, they have not publicly confirmed an engagement or marriage.
The couple does not have children and focuses on their careers, shared projects and family life with loved ones.
Health, Adversity and Resilience
Towns’s story includes significant adversity. He has battled serious injuries, including a major calf strain that sidelined him for an extended stretch, as well as postseason injuries to his knee and finger that required treatment after the 2025 playoff run.
Despite physical setbacks, he continued to play through pain in the postseason and then immediately sought medical procedures to prepare for the following year.
On the personal side, losing multiple family members, especially his mother, deeply affected him. Instead of hiding his grief, he chose to speak openly about it.
This vulnerability resonated with fans and made him a symbol of emotional strength—an athlete who acknowledges pain while still performing at the highest level.
Social Media Presence
Karl-Anthony Towns is active on social media, especially Instagram, where he shares a mix of basketball content, lifestyle moments and personal reflections.
His posts often include game-day photos, behind-the-scenes glimpses from the locker room, training clips, fashion fits and images with Jordyn Woods, family and friends.
- Instagram: @karltowns – around 4 million followers (as of 2025), featuring highlights, family life, brand partnerships and hobbies like sports cards and collectibles
- Other platforms: Appears regularly in team-produced content, interviews, podcasts and community features
His social media presence combines humility and confidence: he celebrates his blessings, shows appreciation for fans and occasionally shares moments of humor, faith and gratitude.
Net Worth
Karl-Anthony Towns’s net worth is estimated to be in the range of $70–100 million as of 2025. The bulk of his wealth comes from his NBA contracts, including a massive four-year supermax extension originally signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves and now being paid by the New York Knicks, making him one of the highest-paid players in the league.
In addition to his salary, Towns has secured endorsement deals with major brands in sportswear, beverages, gaming and lifestyle products. He has invested in properties and has also become known as an avid collector, especially of sports trading cards and memorabilia, which has grown into both a hobby and a business opportunity.
Latest Updates
- Currently plays for the New York Knicks as their starting center and primary frontcourt star
- Helped lead the Knicks to a deep playoff run and an Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 2025
- Reached major career milestones before turning 30, including 15,000+ points, 7,000+ rebounds and significant assist and three-point totals for a big man
- Underwent treatment for playoff-related injuries (knee and finger) in 2025 but returned to deliver strong performances to start the 2025–26 season
- Continues to average over 20 points and double-digit rebounds per game while adjusting to New York’s system and sharing the spotlight with other stars
Trivia and Facts
- Nicknamed “KAT,” often stylized in all caps
- One of the first true centers to be considered an elite three-point shooter, changing expectations for the position
- Won the NBA Three-Point Contest as a seven-footer, a rare feat for a big man
- Has represented the Dominican Republic internationally, thanks to his mother’s heritage
- Known for being a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL and following other sports closely
- A serious trading card and memorabilia collector with a dedicated social presence for his collection
- Open about grief and mental health, using his experiences to connect with fans going through similar losses
FAQs About Karl-Anthony Towns
Who is Karl-Anthony Towns?
Karl-Anthony Towns is an American–Dominican NBA star and All-NBA center, known for his elite scoring, rebounding and three-point shooting as a seven-footer. He currently plays for the New York Knicks.
How old is Karl-Anthony Towns?
He is 30 years old as of 2025, born on November 15, 1995.
What team does he play for?
He plays for the New York Knicks in the NBA, after spending his first nine seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Is Karl-Anthony Towns married?
No, as of 2025 he is not publicly reported to be married. He is in a long-term relationship with model Jordyn Woods.
Does Karl-Anthony Towns have children?
There is no public information confirming that he has any children as of 2025.
What is Karl-Anthony Towns’s net worth?
His net worth is estimated in the range of $70–100 million as of 2025, primarily from NBA contracts, endorsements and business ventures.
What makes him unique as a player?
His combination of size, ball-handling, rebounding and elite three-point shooting makes him one of the most skilled offensive big men in NBA history.
