Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Karl-Anthony Towns

How Karl-Anthony Towns built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Karl-Anthony Towns Jr., or KAT, is a Dominican-American professional basketball player currently playing for the New York Knicks in the NBA. Before joining the NBA, he played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats. Towns' basketball career started early, as he was named to the Dominican Republic national team at just 16 years old. His talent was evident, leading him to be selected as the first overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1972: Buffalo Braves Rookie of the Year

In 1972, Bob McAdoo won Rookie of the Year for the Buffalo Braves.

1973: Buffalo Braves Rookie of the Year

In 1973, Ernie DiGregorio won Rookie of the Year for the Buffalo Braves.

April 20, 1994: Shaquille O'Neal Milestone

On April 20, 1994, Shaquille O'Neal had 50 points and 15 rebounds which Karl-Anthony Towns later beat in 2018 by being younger.

2004: Timberwolves last playoff appearance

In 2004, the Timberwolves last appearance in the playoffs before Karl-Anthony Towns clinched the team's spot in 2018.

2008: Durant's record

In 2008, Kevin Durant set a record that Towns broke in 2016.

2011: Finished third at FIBA Americas Championship

In 2011, Karl-Anthony Towns played for the Dominican Republic national basketball team and finished in third place at the FIBA Americas Championship.

December 2012: Committed to Kentucky Wildcats

In December 2012, Karl-Anthony Towns announced his commitment to play for the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team.

2012: Towns debuts for Dominican Republic national team

In 2012, Karl-Anthony Towns debuted for the Dominican Republic national team at the Centrobasket tournament at age 16.

2012: Won state championship and played on Dominican Republic national team

In 2012, Karl-Anthony Towns led his high school basketball team to a state championship and was selected to play on the Dominican Republic national basketball team.

January 6, 2013: Recorded a quadruple-double

On January 6, 2013, Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a quadruple-double with 16 points, 17 rebounds, 11 blocks and 11 assists.

2013: Won State Title

In 2013, Karl-Anthony Towns led his team to win another state title.

January 5, 2014: Recorded a second quadruple-double

On January 5, 2014, Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a second quadruple-double with 20 points, 14 rebounds, 12 blocks and 10 assists.

December 2014: Andrew Wiggins wins Rookie of the month honor

In December 2014, Andrew Wiggins earned NBA Rookie of the Month honors.

2014: Andrew Wiggins wins Rookie of the Year

In 2014, Andrew Wiggins won Rookie of the Year

2014: Won State Title

In 2014, Karl-Anthony Towns led his team to win another state title.

2014: Kentucky career

In 2014, Karl-Anthony Towns played for Kentucky, averaging limited minutes due to the "platoon system".

2014: Named Gatorade Player of the Year

In 2014, Karl-Anthony Towns was named the Gatorade Player of the Year and was listed as third-ranked by ESPN.

January 13, 2015: Mo Williams franchise record

On January 13, 2015, Mo Williams set the Timberwolves franchise record with 52 points against the Indiana Pacers which was surpassed by Towns in 2018.

February 2015: Andrew Wiggins wins Rookie of the month honor

In February 2015, Andrew Wiggins earned NBA Rookie of the Month honors.

April 9, 2015: Declared for the NBA draft

On April 9, 2015, Karl-Anthony Towns, along with several fellow Kentucky teammates, declared for the 2015 NBA draft.

June 25, 2015: Drafted #1 overall by Timberwolves

On June 25, 2015, Karl-Anthony Towns was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the first overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft.

2015: Ranked as top prospect by ESPN

ESPN had ranked Karl-Anthony Towns as the top prospect in the 2015 recruiting class.

2015: Timberwolves back-to-back Rookie of the Year winners

In 2015, Andrew Wiggins won Rookie of the Year, and with Karl-Anthony Towns winning the award in 2016, Minnesota became the first team with back-to-back Rookie of the Year winners since the Buffalo Braves.

2015: Towns drafted #1 overall by Minnesota Timberwolves

In 2015, Karl-Anthony Towns was selected with the first overall pick in the NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

2015: Named Rookie of the Year

In 2015-16 season, Towns was named the Rookie of the Year.

January 20, 2016: Season-best game against Mavericks

On January 20, 2016, Karl-Anthony Towns had a season-best game with 27 points and career highs of 17 rebounds and six blocks in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

November 30, 2016: Career-high 47 points against Knicks

On November 30, 2016, Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a then career-high 47 points and 18 rebounds in a loss to the New York Knicks.

March 8, 2017: Win Over Clippers

On March 8, 2017, Karl-Anthony Towns had 29 points and 14 rebounds in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers, marking his 100th career double-double.

April 11, 2017: Franchise Record for Points in a Season

On April 11, 2017, Karl-Anthony Towns surpassed Kevin Love to set a franchise record for points in a season, finishing the game with 26 points and 12 rebounds in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

November 15, 2017: Ended losing streak to Spurs

On November 15, 2017, Karl-Anthony Towns had 26 points and 16 rebounds on his 22nd birthday, helping the Timberwolves end a 12-game losing streak to the San Antonio Spurs.

December 14, 2017: Joined Kevin Garnett in Wolves Record

On December 14, 2017, Karl-Anthony Towns joined Kevin Garnett as the only Wolves players to collect 30+ points, 10+ rebounds, 5+ assists and 5+ blocks in a single game, against the Sacramento Kings.

December 31, 2017: Tied Career High Blocks

On December 31, 2017, Karl-Anthony Towns tied his career high with six blocks in a win over the Indiana Pacers.

January 5, 2018: Then Career High Rebounds

On January 5, 2018, Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 25 points and a then career-high 23 rebounds in a loss to the Boston Celtics.

January 23, 2018: Named All-Star Reserve

On January 23, 2018, Karl-Anthony Towns was named a Western Conference All-Star reserve.

March 20, 2018: NBA-best 60th Double-Double

On March 20, 2018, Karl-Anthony Towns recorded his NBA-best 60th double-double with 30 points and 10 rebounds in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

March 28, 2018: Franchise-Record 56 Points

On March 28, 2018, Karl-Anthony Towns scored a franchise-record 56 points and added 15 rebounds in a win against the Atlanta Hawks.

April 11, 2018: Clinched Playoff Berth

On April 11, 2018, Karl-Anthony Towns had 26 points and 14 rebounds in an overtime win over the Denver Nuggets, clinching Minnesota a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2004.

September 23, 2018: Towns signs super-maximum extension with the Timberwolves

On September 23, 2018, Karl-Anthony Towns signed a five-year, $158 million super-maximum extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

January 12, 2019: Towns records career-high 27 rebounds

On January 12, 2019, Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 27 points and a career-high 27 rebounds in a 110–106 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

October 23, 2019: Towns scores 36 points in season opener

On October 23, 2019, in the first game of Minnesota's season, Karl-Anthony Towns scored 36 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, blocked 3 shots, and recorded 3 steals in a 127–126 win over the Brooklyn Nets.

January 9, 2022: Towns scores season-high 40 points

On January 9, 2022, Karl-Anthony Towns scored a then season-high 40 points, along with nine rebounds and seven assists, in a 141–123 victory over the Houston Rockets.

July 7, 2022: Towns signs contract extension

On July 7, 2022, Karl-Anthony Towns signed a four-year, $224 million contract extension.

2022: NBA Three-Point Contest Win

In 2022, Karl-Anthony Towns became the first center to win the NBA Three-Point Contest.

July 2023: Towns confirms participation in FIBA Basketball World Cup

In July 2023, Karl-Anthony Towns confirmed his presence in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup for the Dominican Republic national team.

November 18, 2023: Towns scores 29 points with a game-winning layup

On November 18, 2023, Karl-Anthony Towns put up 29 points, including a game-winning lay-up, in a 121–120 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

January 22, 2024: Towns scores career-high 62 points

On January 22, 2024, Karl-Anthony Towns scored a career-high and Timberwolves franchise-record 62 points, with 44 of those coming in the first half, in a 128–125 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. This also set a record for the most points scored in a half in Timberwolves franchise history.

October 2, 2024: Towns traded to New York Knicks

On October 2, 2024, Karl-Anthony Towns was traded to the New York Knicks as part of a three-team trade with the Charlotte Hornets.

2024: Towns receives Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award

In 2024, Karl-Anthony Towns received the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award from the NBA for his social justice work, including advocating for voting rights and supporting Minnesota's legislation to restore voting rights to formerly incarcerated people.