Karl-Anthony Towns is the All-Star center who has spent the majority of his NBA career with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was chosen with the #1 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft and was named the 2015-16 NBA Rookie of the Year.

Already a highly visible player, Towns was recently traded to the NBA’s biggest media market — the New York Knicks.  Known as a versatile “unicorn” due to his combination of size, strength, shooting, and skills, fans are not only captivated by his on-court abilities but millions more will be curious about KAT’s background—particularly whether Karl-Anthony Towns is of mixed race or bi-racial.

What is Karl Anthony Towns Race?

To answer this question, we can look at Towns’ parents. Karl-Anthony Towns was born in Edison, New Jersey, to Jacqueline Cruz and Karl Towns Sr. Jacqueline Cruz was Dominican, and Karl Sr. is African American, making Towns biracial. His mother, Jacqueline, sadly passed away in April 2020 due to complications from COVID-19, which Towns has openly discussed as one of the most challenging periods of his life.

Towns was born in New Jersey, he is an American citizen. However, he also identifies strongly with his Dominican heritage, making him an individual with dual nationality. From an early age, Towns showcased his pride in his heritage by representing the Dominican Republic’s National Basketball Team. He made his debut for the team at just 16 years old, participating in the 2012 Centrobasket tournament and 2013 FIBA Americas Championship.

“It was really special to me,” Towns said about representing the Dominican Republic. “It was a chance to represent my mother and a big part of my family. It was an amazing experience. I was very excited. When an opportunity like that presents itself, it’s hard to say no.”

Anthony-Town’s Dominican Heritage

Growing up, Towns embraced his Dominican heritage in numerous ways. He often attended family gatherings that celebrated Dominican culture, including weekend barbecues at his grandmother’s home in New Jersey. These gatherings were filled with Dominican food, music, and family, which played a significant role in shaping Towns’ identity.

Towns and his first cousin, Michael Quezada, loved eating pollo empanizado (breaded chicken) with white rice beans and plantains. They always played basketball in the backyard, too, while listening to lively music in the background…. There was always bachata, merengue and salsa music playing as well.

Karl-Anthony Towns also frequently talks about the traditional Dominican dishes his mother used to prepare. “I love arroz con pollo,” Towns told The Undefeated. “My mom makes some of the best chicken and rice, and I know why—she makes it how my grandmother makes it, and the recipe was passed down. There is nothing better than having some of mom’s homemade cooking.”

Raising Dominican Basketball’s Visibility

Towns’ representation of the Dominican Republic is not just about embracing his heritage; it’s also about helping to raise the visibility of basketball in the country. He knows the opportunity to play for the Dominican Republic is less widespread compared to representing Team USA. Nevertheless, he plans on following in the footsteps of Dominican basketball legends like Al Horford, Francisco Garcia, Felipe Lopez, and Tito Horford.

In a recent interview with FIBA, Towns reiterated his desire to contribute to Dominican basketball. “I would like to play for the national team again at some point. I don’t know when it will happen, but it’s definitely something I would like to do again,” Towns told FIBA, “I really enjoyed the first experiences I had with the national team, and I am still very young, so I still have a lot to do in my career, including hopefully some great experiences with the national team.”

Filipino Heritage and Clarifications

There have been some rumors and misconceptions that Karl-Anthony Towns might have Filipino roots, likely because of his mixed appearance and the global fanbase he has attracted. However, there is no verified Filipino heritage in Towns’ family background. His heritage is explicitly African American and Dominican, based on his parents’ descent. The misunderstanding may also stem from his international exposure and connections with players of diverse backgrounds, but Towns himself has never mentioned any Filipino lineage.

Recent Success and International Contributions

Karl-Anthony Towns has been a dominant presence in the NBA for years, and his skills are well-regarded across the league. In the 2022-2023 season, he made headlines by winning the NBA’s Three-Point Contest, becoming one of the few big men to achieve this feat and showcasing his versatility on the court. Additionally, in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Towns once again represented the Dominican Republic, helping lead the team to a strong showing and drawing international attention to the DR’s basketball potential. His participation in these events has helped to boost the profile of Dominican basketball globally .

Just weeks before news broke of his trade to the Knicks, Karl-Anthony Towns reflected on his professional and personal journey. He spoke about how his Dominican and Black heritage has influenced his identity, and why his advocacy and philanthropy hold deep significance for him.

“To live the American dream, you have to be willing to help others with it,” Towns told NBC News. “For me to be recognized for what I do off the court is all I’ve ever wanted to do — I think that would make my mother more proud than what I’ve done on the court.”