It was quite a night for Karl-Anthony Towns, who was selected as the first overall draft pick of the 2015 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. It’s a huge milestone for Towns, considering he’s the first Dominican-American to accomplish such a feat. In fact, the 19-year-old is likely the highest draft pick ever for a Latino player.
SEE ALSO: NBA Draft 2015 Recap: The Good, The Bad And The SMH
But just who is the 6-foot-11 basketball star, poised for nothing but greatness with the rock in his hand? Here are five fun facts to know…
He’s a proud Dominican:
Towns was born in Piscataway, NJ to an African-American father and Dominican mother, and he isn’t shy about putting on for his platanos.
He even played for the Dominican Republic national basketball team:
Towns was named to the Dominican Republic national basketball team Olympic squad at 16, although the Dominican Republic national basketball team ultimately did not qualify to make it to the 2012 Olympics.
And he’s a humanitarian who desires to be a doctor after he’s fulfilled his duties on the court:
The 19-year-old has worked with the charity Samaritan’s Feet, an organization that gifts shoes to the impoverished and uplifts them through the act of washing feet and encouragement.He also plans to study medicine so he can become a doctor.
His imaginary friend is his most crucial teammate:
Meet Karlito, Towns’ alter ego and imaginary friend. He told Mashable that Karlito sits on his shoulders during games and cheers him on, while motivating him to stay in the game. A little weird, but totally adorable.
Towns LOVES sweets:
It’s hereditary. That “Dominican sweet-tooth” is SO real.
SEE ALSO: The Dominican Republic Cannot Afford Mass Expulsion Of Haitians
Photo credit: Getty Images