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., known as KAT, is a Dominican-American professional basketball player currently playing for the New York Knicks in the NBA. He played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats. Towns began his international career early, joining the Dominican Republic national team at 16. His NBA career began after being drafted first overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2015 NBA draft.

Sections (4)

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

2004: Timberwolves Playoff Appearance

On April 11, 2018, Karl-Anthony Towns win clinched Minnesota a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2004.

2008: Youngest Player with 30/10 Since Kevin Durant

On January 29, 2016, Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 32 points and 12 rebounds in a loss to the Utah Jazz, becoming the youngest player to have 30 points and 10 rebounds in a game since Kevin Durant did so in 2008.

2011: Played on Dominican Republic National Basketball Team

In 2011, Karl-Anthony Towns played on the Dominican Republic national basketball team, coached by John Calipari, which finished third in the 2011 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 under Coach John Calipari.

2012: Towns debuts for Dominican Republic national team

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

2012: Led St. Joseph High School to State Championship

In 2012, as a freshman at St. Joseph High School, Karl-Anthony Towns led the basketball team to a state championship, earning the top position in the ESPN 25 national ranking of high school players.

January 6, 2013: Recorded Quadruple-Double

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

2013: Led St. Joseph High School to State Championship

In 2013, Karl-Anthony Towns led his high school team to another state championship.

January 5, 2014: Recorded Quadruple-Double

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

2014: Led St. Joseph High School to State Championship

In 2014, Karl-Anthony Towns again led his high school team to a state championship.

2014: Ranked behind Jahlil Okafor

Throughout the 2014–15 season, Karl-Anthony Towns was often ranked behind Duke center Jahlil Okafor as a draft prospect.

April 9, 2015: Declared for the NBA Draft

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

June 25, 2015: Towns drafted by Minnesota 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

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

2015: Towns drafted by Minnesota Timberwolves

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

2015: Towns played all 82 games in 2015-16 season

Karl Anthony Towns played and started in all 82 games for the Timberwolves in 2015–16, averaging 18.3 points and 10.5 rebounds per game; he subsequently earned unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year honors.

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: 100th Career Double-Double

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 had 26 points and 12 rebounds in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, surpassing Kevin Love to set a franchise record for points in a season.

November 15, 2017: Victory Over Spurs on 22nd Birthday

On November 15, 2017, Karl-Anthony Towns had 26 points and 16 rebounds for Minnesota on his 22nd birthday, helping the Timberwolves end a 12-game losing streak to the San Antonio Spurs with a 98–86 victory.

December 14, 2017: 30/10/5/5 Game Against Kings

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

December 31, 2017: Season High-Tying Blocks Against Pacers

On December 31, 2017, Karl-Anthony Towns had 18 points, 14 rebounds and a career high-tying six blocks in a win over the Indiana Pacers.

January 5, 2018: Career-High 23 Rebounds Against Celtics

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

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 Against Hawks

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: Timberwolves 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 Timberwolves

On September 23, 2018, Karl-Anthony Towns signed a five-year, $190 million super-maximum extension with the Timberwolves.

January 12, 2019: Towns Records Career-High 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 2023: Towns Joins Dominican Republic Team for World Cup

In July 2023, Karl-Anthony Towns confirmed that he would join the Dominican Republic national team for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, marking his return to the team after several years.

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

On November 18, 2023, Karl-Anthony Towns put up 29 points on 10-of-11 shooting from the field along with six rebounds, nine assists, two blocks, and a game-winning lay-up in a 121–120 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

January 22, 2024: Towns Sets Career and Franchise Record with 62 Points

On January 22, 2024, Karl-Anthony Towns put up 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. His 44 points 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, marking a significant change in his career.

2024: Led Timberwolves to Western Conference Finals

In 2024, Karl-Anthony Towns led the Timberwolves to the Western Conference finals, marking their first appearance in 20 years.

2024: Towns Receives 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 advocating for voting rights and his involvement in 'Forgiving Johnny'.

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2024: Towns Ranked 7th in Points per Direct Drive

In the 2024-25 NBA season, Karl-Anthony Towns ranked 7th in the NBA with 1.21 points per direct drive, highlighting his offensive capabilities.

January 25, 2025: Towns Named All-Star Starter

On January 25, 2025, Karl-Anthony Towns was named as an Eastern Conference starter for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, marking a significant honor in his career.