By: Manuel Polanco
Karl-Anthony Towns, or “Kat” as he’s often called, is a Dominican-American Basketball player who plays for the New York Knicks. Towns is one of three Dominican basketball players in the NBA. He is joined by the legendary Al Horford and Chris Duarte (waived by the Chicago Bulls) as the only players with Dominican heritage. Dominicans make up 7.9% of the population in NYC, plus it’s Hispanic Heritage month and Towns plays for the Knicks (my favorite team), so why not talk about him?
Towns was traded to NYC during the 2024 offseason and left behind the city of Minnesota, where he began his career at 20 years of age. But what makes Towns stand out from the rest? That would be his impressive shooting ability as a Big Man/Power forward.
Towns is widely regarded as the best shooting big man of all time and holds one of the best 3-point percentages as a big man, as well. Bigs and power forwards were typically used to play near the rim, and Towns, being a great shooter with his size, makes him an enigma. After years in Minnesota, he now finds himself in a diverse city with a great Caribbean presence.
After he was traded to the Knicks, Towns earned the moniker, “Bodega KAT”, a nickname that plays into his Dominican heritage and abbreviated name. In New York City (NYC), bodegas are usually small convenience stores that gained popularity after many Hispanic immigrants (usually Dominicans) opened them up while settling in the city. Next is the staple to every bodega, the guardian and spirit animal, the bodega cat. Bodega Cats are cultural icons to NYC, and also the janitors and pest control of every Bodega.
This nickname was coined by his teammate, Josh Hart, who first called him “The Big Bodega” but switched it to Bodega Kat after many fans said it sounded better. Towns was born in Passaic, New Jersey, but never forgets about his home away from home, The Dominican Republic (D.R).
Towns always gives back to his community and uses his status as an athlete to advocate for those in need.
When he was in Minnesota, he helped pass a law that helped formerly incarcerated people vote. Towns helped build a state-of-the-art Basketball facility in D.R. as a way to help children who want to use the facilities provided, creating a larger opportunity for both young athletes to hone their skills and for Towns to give back to his community. “It was really important for me to give back to my community, a country that’s given me everything, gave me my mother and gave me this love of the game of basketball,” Towns said in an ESPN interview about the facility.”It’s given me the word love, both of family and understanding how to treat people.”
Towns has represented the D.R. national team since 2011 and most recently in 2023 for the World Cup. As the 2025-2026 NBA season is set to begin, Towns looks to continue an already great run in New York and help the Knicks win a championship.
Even though he may be one of the few Dominican players in the league, Towns is a hero to many in the D.R. and has found a great home where the Hispanic community roots for him daily.