Home/NBA

Behind every successful NBA player, you are sure to find their parents, who make innumerable sacrifices to help them reach the league. So, many share a close relationship with their parents, and one of them is Karl-Anthony Towns. From the time he was drafted into the league, his mother, Jacqueline Cruz, was always his number one fan.

But back in April, Cruz passed away due to complications from COVID-19. It was a big shock to the whole league and everyone poured in condolences for the Towns family. Yesterday would have been her 60th birthday and also the wedding anniversary of Towns’ parents. So he wrote a heartfelt message about her on Twitter.

“Real love bro,” former teammate Zach LaVine replied. “We all miss her!” 

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Karl-Anthony Towns: Minnesota’s franchise player

After she passed away, Timberwolves President Gersson Rosas said, “There’s nothing like her passion, her emotion.” Wolves President Gersson Rosas said Monday. “She was a classic team mom that you never see in professional sports.… She had 15 kids every time she came around us. It just drew me back to Little League or high school, where you see a parent that’s just passionate.”

Towns made his first All-Star game in 2018. When the news came out, nobody was prouder than his mother.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

On the court, Towns has been working hard to make not only his parents, but also his team proud. After unanimously winning Rookie of the Year in 2016, he has been constantly improving. Since the last three seasons, his points per game have risen every year. He is also one of the best shooting big men in the league, shooting over 40% from three for three seasons in a row.

In February, the Wolves acquired for Towns’ friend from high school, D’Angelo Russell. Together, they can be a promising duo for the franchise and can potentially bring a championship to Minnesota.