Karl-Anthony Towns: Career, Memes, and Personal Life

Karl-Anthony Towns can drop 40 points one night and become a viral meme the next. This article examines his career milestones, his high-profile trade to New York, and the cultural moments that have shaped his public image.

Height: 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) ·
Weight: 248 lb (112 kg) ·
Team: New York Knicks ·
All-Star Selections: 6 ·
Career Points Per Game: 22.9 ·
Rookie of the Year: 2016

The table below compiles eight key facts about Towns’ profile from official league data.

Are Karl Towns and Jordyn still together?

Who did Jordyn Woods hook up with?

• Jordyn Woods was previously linked to NBA player Kyle Kuzma, and in early 2025 she was publicly associated with Karl-Anthony Towns (New York Post).
• The relationship gained attention in March 2025 when Towns missed a Knicks game to support Woods after the death of a close friend (The Athletic).

Does Karl Towns have kids?

• Towns does not have any children as of 2025 (CBS Sports).
• The only public family references are to his mother Jacqueline Cruz, who died in 2020, and his father Karl-Anthony Towns Sr.

Why is Karl-Anthony Towns so zesty?

Who is the most zesty player in the NBA?

• The term “zesty” began trending on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok to describe NBA players who show flamboyant, expressive behavior — often used playfully.
• Towns became a central figure in the meme after clips of his energetic celebrations and fashion choices circulated widely.
• Other players sometimes associated with the label include Joel Embiid and Russell Westbrook, though the meme most consistently attaches to Towns.

The implication: Towns has leaned into the persona without letting it define him, a tightrope that few NBA stars manage this publicly.

What happened to Karl-Anthony Towns?

What did Draymond Green say about Kat?

• In March 2025, Draymond Green publicly speculated about Towns’ absence from a Knicks game, suggesting it might not be legitimate (New York Post).
• The Knicks had listed Towns as out for personal reasons. The New York Post later reported that Towns was mourning a close friend of Jordyn Woods who died of breast cancer (New York Post).
• The Athletic described Green’s remarks as “speculation that was not supported by the facts” (The Athletic).

“I’m not sure what the issue was,” Green said, adding that he did not investigate the specifics further (New York Post).

“The Knicks viewed Towns as an ideal offensive fit alongside Jalen Brunson.” — The Athletic (The Athletic)

Recent injuries or trades

• Towns was traded to the Knicks in a three-team deal that sent Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota (NBA.com).
• In his first season with New York (2025/2026), he reportedly averaged 20.0 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists over 73 games (Flashscore (live scores platform)).

The pattern: off-court noise rarely matches on-court production, and Towns’ numbers suggest he remains a franchise cornerstone.

Does Karl Towns have kids?

• No children. This is confirmed across multiple biographical sources (CBS Sports).
• Towns has spoken about his upbringing in Edison, New Jersey, but has not publicly discussed starting a family.

What this means: personal-life speculation remains just that — until Towns or a verified source states otherwise.

Who is Karl-Anthony Towns’ best friend?

• D’Angelo Russell, his former Minnesota Timberwolves teammate, is widely regarded as Towns’ closest friend in the league. They played together from 2019 to 2023 and remain close.
• Towns also maintains friendships with other NBA players, but Russell is the most frequently referenced “best friend” in social media and interviews.

The implication: that loyalty may define his legacy as much as his stats do.

Timeline

• 2015 – Drafted 1st overall by Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA.com)
• 2016 – NBA Rookie of the Year
• 2018 – First All-Star selection
• 2020 – Mother Jacqueline Cruz dies
• 2022 – Third All-Star selection, All-NBA Third Team
• 2024 – Traded to New York Knicks (NBA.com)
• 2025 – Fifth All-Star selection (CBS Sports)

Clarity check

Quotes that tell the story

“I’m not sure what the issue was.” — Draymond Green, speaking about Towns’ absence (New York Post)

“The Knicks viewed Towns as an ideal offensive fit alongside Jalen Brunson.” — The Athletic (The Athletic)

Frequently asked questions