On Tuesday, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader hosted a virtual congratulatory call from the National Palace with Dominican-born NBA superstar Karl-Anthony Towns, fresh off Towns’ key role in securing the New York Knicks’ first NBA championship title in 51 years. Sports Minister Kelvin Cruz also participated in the conversation, which centered on Towns’ lasting influence as a public figure and his years of commitment to elite athletic excellence.
During the warm exchange, President Abinader emphasized that Towns’ landmark achievement has sparked widespread national pride across the Dominican Republic, praising the player’s relentless discipline and dedication that served as the foundation of his championship run. He highlighted how Towns’ success sets a powerful example for young Dominican athletes chasing professional sports dreams.
Towns expressed sincere gratitude for the presidential recognition, opening up about what it meant to him to represent his Dominican heritage on the sport’s most high-profile global stage. The 2024 postseason marked the strongest performance of Towns’ entire NBA career, with the big man posting standout per-game averages of 15.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.3 steals. He also shot an impressive 45.6% from three-point range throughout the playoffs and logged a team-leading plus-minus of +258 across the Knicks’ championship run.
In a major announcement during the call, Towns shared his plan to bring the coveted Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy back to the Dominican Republic, so that local basketball fans can join in celebrating the historic title. Both President Abinader and Minister Cruz enthusiastically embraced the planned visit, reaffirming that the entire Dominican nation takes immense pride in the success of a player with deep Dominican roots.