Karl-Anthony Towns’ mother died from coronavirus complications on April 13. Since then, the year has unfortunately gotten even worse for the Timberwolves star.
The 25-year-old center told reporters Friday that he’s lost an additional six members of his family from the virus, the most recent being his uncle, according to ESPN.
“I’ve seen a lot of coffins in the last seven months,” Towns said. “I have a lot of people who have — in my family and my mom’s family — gotten COVID. I’m the one looking for answers still, trying to find how to keep them healthy. It’s just a lot of responsibility on me to keep my family well-informed and to make all the moves necessary to keep them alive.
“Last night I got a call that I lost my uncle. I feel like I’ve been hardened a little bit by life and humbled.”
The All-Star also said he “hasn’t been in a good place” since his mother, Jacqueline Cruz-Towns, first went to the hospital.
Towns documented his struggles with a video posted to his YouTube account in November entitled “THE TOUGHEST YEAR OF MY LIFE,” and admitted he expected filming the video to be “therapeutic” for him.
According to ESPN, Towns’ father, Karl Sr., also contracted the coronavirus but has recovered. Things will still be different, however, without one of his staunchest supporters there to watch him play.
“It always brought me a smile when I saw my mom at the baseline and in the stands and stuff and having a good time watching me play,” said Towns, who averaged 26.5 points and 10.8 rebounds last season. “It is going to be hard to play.”
