Karl-Anthony Towns has always been known for his talent on the court, but the real story runs much deeper than his stat lines. Behind every bucket and block, there’s a background that shaped him. He’s been through tough times — and the strength that kept him steady came straight from his family. His parents, especially, were central to everything.
Let’s take a closer look at the people who built the foundation for the Knicks’ big man.
Who Is Karl Towns Sr.?
When it comes to basketball, Karl Towns Sr. has been involved every step of the way. He wasn’t just cheering from the stands — he played the game himself. Towns Sr. suited up for Monmouth University back in the day and later went on to coach high school hoops in New Jersey, including at Piscataway Tech, where Karl studied.
Basketball wasn’t just something they watched on TV. It was how they bonded — a part of daily life. Years later, when Towns Sr. got the head coaching job at St. Joseph High School, the same place his son had gone to school, it felt like things had come full circle. But the season didn’t go as planned.
The team finished 6–16, and it became obvious that Towns Sr. was stepping back from calling the shots. Eventually, he left the position.
Still, his influence was never about wins or losses. It was about presence. He’s always been courtside, showing up when it matters — especially in tough moments.
In 2021, just after Karl’s mom passed away, Towns Sr. made sure to be there at Barclays Center, just like she would’ve been.
Later, after recovering from COVID-19 himself, he didn’t fade into the background. He launched the KAT Foundation and partnered with organizations like the United Negro College Fund to help Black students get access to education. That’s been his focus: giving back and staying involved.
Who Was Jacqueline Cruz?
Jacqueline Cruz wasn’t just Karl’s mom — she was the mom. She was loud, proud, and always there. Draft nights, games, birthdays — she didn’t miss a beat. Born in the U.S. but Dominican by heritage, she passed that pride down to Karl. His identity is deeply tied to her culture.
Back in 2020, both Cruz and Towns Sr. tested positive for COVID-19. She got worse quickly. After being put into a medically induced coma, things continued to decline. On April 13, she passed away at 58 years old. It shattered Karl. He said it changed him as a person.
There were moments he thought about quitting basketball. But he didn’t — because he knew she’d never have let him walk away from the game. In May 2025, on Dominican Mother’s Day, he delivered one of his most emotional performances yet. He dropped 20 of 24 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Knicks past the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. After the game, he became the first NBA player to shout out Dominican Mother’s Day live on national TV.
“Shoutout to Dominicans, man, on Dominican Mother’s Day,” he said during his TNT interview. “Shoutout to my mom.”
Towns represents the Dominican Republic in international basketball, and he’s never been shy about what that means to him. “It’s my culture. It’s how I grew up,” he told Our Esquina in November. “I really just grew in the culture.”
Even though Jackie’s gone, she’s still there — in his voice, his jersey, and every game he plays.
