Everybody's talking about Karl-Antony Towns ' trade to the New York Knicks . But while most of the discussion has circled around how Towns can help them become a championship team, many forget that KAT's connection to New York is deep.
Towns was born and raised in New Jersey. He grew up in the Piscataway township in Middlesex County and played high school basketball at St. Joseph High School in Metuchen.
With his background, the four-time All-Star knows a lot about the history of New York basketball. As he admitted during his recent appearance on the Club Shay Shay podcast, he has a special attachment to the Knicks.
"I love the Nets, but the Knicks was different because my mom, when she immigrated over from DR, she always went to the Knicks games," said KAT. "And also, the Knicks were one of the few teams that gave my dad a chance in the NBA as well."
Big Karl joined the Knicks' training camp team
KAT's late mom, Jackie Cruz, was from the Dominican Republic. She migrated to New Jersey and met Karl Sr., or Big Karl as he is fondly called. Jackie worked two decades as a nurse for Rutgers UMDNJ and became a big fan of the fabled Garden and the Knickerbockers.
Meanwhile, Big Karl starred for Monmouth College and almost played for the Knicks. According to the sharpshooting big man, his dad was invited to the training camp but did not make the cut. Still, that left an impact on Little Karl's early life.
"You gave my dad a chance," added Karl-Anthony. "My mom grew up talking so much about Madison Square Garden, and the history that comes with it. I, of course, was impressionable, and then on top of that, the most impressionable stage of my career when it came to playing basketball, especially as just a kid, I'm seeing Linsanity go crazy."
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KAT played for the national team at the age of 16
Towns was 16 when Linsanity happened. It was also during that time when Little Karl made headlines when he played for the Dominican Republic national team at the 2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Although his team did not qualify for the London Olympics, the high school sophomore made a huge impression being part of that team.
Three years later, Karl-Anthony became the No.1 overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. In December 2015, he played his first NBA game at Madison Square Garden, scoring 25 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Next season, seven-footer will have 42 home games at the Mecca.
On Wednesday, the trade announced last week sending KAT to the Knicks was finalized. It was a full circle moment for Little Karl and Big Karl, who once dreamed of donning the Knicks jersey, and Jackie, who must be proud up there watching her baby become the new Madison Square Guardian.
Related: Perkins on why KAT is the missing piece for the Knicks: "Wasn't Kristaps Porzingis the piece for Boston?"
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