Karl-Anthony Towns has discovered a special purpose in representing the Dominican Republic in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 here in Manila.
In his first tournament back representing the Los Quisqueyanos since the CentroBasket in 2012, the standout player from the Minnesota Timberwolves has maintained an average of 19.3 points and 7.7 rebounds in 27.2 minutes of action during his team’s Group A run, resulting in a 3-0 sweep.
Delivering 100-percent effort in each game is not an easy feat. Nevertheless, Towns manages to achieve this for the Dominican Republic due to his unwavering love for his late mother, Jacquline Cruz, who passed away in 2020 due to complications from COVID-19.
“I’m just very proud that I was given a chance by the federation and my country to put this jersey on. They didn’t have to give me this chance to do this. I feel very honored and blessed to have the chance to represent my mother’s country,” he said after scoring eight points in 15 minutes of action against Angola due to foul trouble.
“I’ve only come here with one goal in mind and that is to make our country proud and to find ways to win and to help our team win. I’m just happy that, so far, everything’s going according to plan and what I am hoping and praying to God every day that we could do, and hopefully I could help.”
Following the Dominicans’ 75-67 victory over Angola’s Black Antelopes, the former Kentucky Wildcat celebrated with fans along the ground floor hallway of the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
While the FIBA Basketball World Cup comes with its own unique pressures, Towns was insistent that he and his teammates should savor their current successful streak.
“We take it game-by-game but I think tonight, it’s worth celebrating in our country for all of us, the players, to enjoy these moments. I’ve been stressing to them that if I’ve learned anything, you know, moments come and go quick,” said the 7-foot modern big man.
“You gotta live in the moment and it’s okay to celebrate these wins and these moments because you never know how all our lives are going to play out (and) if we’ll have another chance in the World Cup.
“So let’s enjoy these moments with each other as brothers — not only as brothers but as new family members. We all get to be part of history together and I think that’s what makes family — when you guys go together and enjoy these special moments with each other with love and respect. It’s just awesome that we get to have our country with us in these moments,” the former first overall pick in the NBA Draft added.
At present, confidence is soaring for Towns and his teammates after an impressive start to their World Cup journey. While they may be in a celebratory mood now, they’re also keeping an eye on their next game when they wake up tomorrow.
Winning becomes addictive, and the Dominicans intend to prolong this newfound streak in honor of their loved ones and those who continually support them.
“This is one of the pinnacles of basketball,” said Towns. “For us to do something really special so far, it’s an amazing feeling. I want our country, I want the fans, I want everybody who’s been supporting us to know that we’re not just doing this for ourselves and our families but we’re doing it for their families.
“We’re doing it for our country. We’re doing it, like I said before, for the mothers who gave us men a chance to live this dream.”
