Karl-Anthony Towns Jr. (KAT) is a Dominican-American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves. At 16, he joined the Dominican Republic national team. The Timberwolves selected him first overall in the 2015 NBA draft, and he was named Rookie of the Year for the 2015-16 season. Towns is a four-time NBA All-Star and won the 2021-22 NBA Three-Point Contest.
1972: Buffalo Braves Achieve Back-to-Back Rookie of the Year Wins
The Buffalo Braves achieved back-to-back Rookie of the Year wins in 1972-1973 with Bob McAdoo and in 1973-1974 with Ernie DiGregorio.
1973: Ernie DiGregorio Wins Rookie of the Year
Ernie DiGregorio won the NBA Rookie of the Year award in the 1973-1974 season, following Bob McAdoo's win the previous year, giving the Buffalo Braves consecutive Rookie of the Year awards.
April 20, 1994: Shaquille O'Neal's 50-Point, 15-Rebound Game
On April 20, 1994, a young Shaquille O'Neal had a remarkable game with 50 points and 15 rebounds. This performance would later be compared to Karl-Anthony Towns, who, at age 22, achieved a similar feat.
November 15, 1995: Karl-Anthony Towns is born
On November 15, 1995, Karl-Anthony Towns Jr., known as KAT, was born in Edison, New Jersey.
2004: Timberwolves Last Playoff Appearance
Prior to their playoff appearance in 2018, the Minnesota Timberwolves had last reached the playoffs in 2004, marking a significant drought for the franchise.
2008: Kevin Durant achieves 30 points and 10 rebounds
In 2008, Kevin Durant achieved a game with 30 points and 10 rebounds.
2009: Towns transfers to Theodore Schor Middle School
In 2009, Karl-Anthony Towns transferred to Theodore Schor Middle School from Our Lady of Fatima School. He reclassified and repeated the seventh grade.
2011: Towns plays for the Dominican Republic national team
In 2011, Karl-Anthony Towns played for the Dominican Republic national team, coached by John Calipari, in the FIBA Americas Championship.
December 2012: Towns commits to Kentucky Wildcats
In December 2012, Towns announced his commitment to play for the Kentucky Wildcats under Coach John Calipari.
2012: International Basketball Debut
At the age of 16, Karl-Anthony Towns made his debut representing the Dominican Republic at the 2012 Centrobasket.
2012: Towns leads St. Joseph to state championship and joins Dominican Republic national team
In 2012, Towns led his high school basketball team to a state championship and was selected for the Dominican Republic national basketball team.
January 6, 2013: Towns records 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: Towns leads St. Joseph to another state title
In 2013, Towns led his high school basketball team to another state championship.
January 5, 2014: Towns records a second quadruple-double
On January 5, 2014, Towns recorded his second quadruple-double with 20 points, 14 rebounds, 12 blocks, and 10 assists.
December 2014: Wiggins earns Rookie of the Month honors
In December 2014, Andrew Wiggins earned NBA Rookie of the Month honors.
2014: Andrew Wiggins Wins Rookie of the Year
Andrew Wiggins, Towns' teammate, won the NBA Rookie of the Year award in the 2014-2015 season. This made Minnesota the first team with back-to-back Rookie of the Year winners since the Buffalo Braves in 1972-1973 and 1973-1974.
2014: Towns graduates high school and is named Gatorade Player of the Year
In 2014, Towns graduated high school with a 3.96 GPA and was named Gatorade Player of the Year.
2014: Towns leads St. Joseph to a third consecutive state title
In 2014, Towns led his high school basketball team to a third consecutive state championship.
2014: Towns plays for Kentucky and aims to become a doctor
In 2014, during his freshman year at Kentucky, Towns played under a unique "platoon system." He studied kinesiology and aimed to become a doctor after his basketball career.
January 13, 2015: Mo Williams' Franchise Record 52 Points
On January 13, 2015, Mo Williams set a Minnesota Timberwolves franchise record by scoring 52 points against the Indiana Pacers, a record that would stand until Karl-Anthony Towns surpassed it in 2018.
February 2015: Wiggins earns Rookie of the Month honors
In February 2015, Andrew Wiggins earned NBA Rookie of the Month honors.
April 9, 2015: Towns declares for the NBA Draft
On April 9, 2015, Karl-Anthony Towns declared for the 2015 NBA Draft alongside his Kentucky teammates.
June 25, 2015: Towns is selected first overall in the NBA Draft
On June 25, 2015, Karl-Anthony Towns was selected first overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2015 NBA Draft.
2015: Towns is ranked as the top prospect
In 2015, ESPN ranked Karl-Anthony Towns as the top prospect in the recruiting class.
2015: Towns is drafted into the NBA
In 2015, Karl-Anthony Towns was selected as the first overall pick in the NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
2015: Record-Breaking Rookie Season
During the 2015-2016 NBA season, Karl-Anthony Towns had a standout rookie season, setting a Minnesota Timberwolves rookie rebounding record, passing Kevin Love's record of 734 rebounds. He also earned numerous accolades, including Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors in each of the season's six months, unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year honors, and NBA All-Rookie First Team honors.
January 20, 2016: Towns has a season-best game
On January 20, 2016, Towns achieved a season-best with 27 points, 17 rebounds, and six blocks in a game against the Dallas Mavericks.
November 30, 2016: Career-High 47 Points Against the Knicks
On November 30, 2016, Karl-Anthony Towns achieved a then career-high of 47 points and 18 rebounds in a game against the New York Knicks. This impressive performance made him the third-youngest player in the last three decades to score at least 45 points and grab 15 rebounds in a game.
March 8, 2017: 100th Career Double-Double
On March 8, 2017, Karl-Anthony Towns achieved his 100th career double-double in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers, making him the second-youngest player in league history to reach this milestone.
April 11, 2017: Franchise Record for Points in a Season
On April 11, 2017, Karl-Anthony Towns surpassed Kevin Love's record to establish a new Minnesota Timberwolves franchise record for points scored in a season. He also made NBA history in the 2016-2017 season by becoming the only player to score at least 2,000 points, grab 1,000 rebounds, and make 100 three-pointers in a single season.
November 15, 2017: 22nd Birthday and Win Against Spurs
On November 15, 2017, Karl-Anthony Towns celebrated his 22nd birthday and helped the Minnesota Timberwolves break a 12-game losing streak against the San Antonio Spurs. Towns had a remarkable career up to that point, ranking high in numerous statistical categories in NBA history for players before their 22nd birthday.
December 14, 2017: Impressive Performance Against the Kings
On December 14, 2017, in a game against the Sacramento Kings, Karl-Anthony Towns delivered an impressive stat line: 30 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, and five blocks. He became the second player in Timberwolves history, alongside Kevin Garnett, to achieve such a comprehensive stat line in a single game.
December 31, 2017: Career-High in Blocks
On December 31, 2017, Karl-Anthony Towns had a career-high-tying six blocks against the Indiana Pacers.
January 5, 2018: Career-High 23 Rebounds
On January 5, 2018, Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a new career-high in rebounds with 23 against the Boston Celtics.
January 23, 2018: Western Conference All-Star Selection
On January 23, 2018, Karl-Anthony Towns was chosen as a Western Conference All-Star reserve.
March 20, 2018: 60th Double-Double of the Season
On March 20, 2018, Karl-Anthony Towns recorded his 60th double-double of the season, leading the NBA at that time.
March 28, 2018: Franchise Record 56 Points
On March 28, 2018, Karl-Anthony Towns set a new Minnesota Timberwolves franchise record with 56 points against the Atlanta Hawks. This scoring feat surpassed Mo Williams' previous record of 52 points set in 2015. He also achieved his 63rd double-double of the season, solidifying his position as the league leader in that category.
April 11, 2018: Timberwolves Clinch Playoff Berth
On April 11, 2018, the Minnesota Timberwolves won their final regular season game against the Denver Nuggets, securing their place in the playoffs for the first time since 2004. This victory ended the longest playoff drought in the league at that time.
April 2020: Loss of Mother to COVID-19
In April 2020, Karl-Anthony Towns' mother tragically passed away due to complications from COVID-19. Towns also revealed that six other family members succumbed to the virus.
July 2020: Relationship with Jordyn Woods Begins
In July 2020, Karl-Anthony Towns began a relationship with Jordyn Woods.
2021: Towns wins the NBA Three-Point Contest
In 2021, Karl-Anthony Towns won the NBA Three-Point Contest.