Minnesota Timberwolves Karl-Anthony Towns is opening up about COVID-19 claiming the life of his mother and six other family members.
On Friday, the 25-year-old told ESPN that he has not “been in a good place” since his mother, Jacqueline Cruz, was admitted to JFK Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey, back in March after falling ill. She was placed in a medically induced coma before ultimately suffering a stroke, forcing Towns and his family to make the decision to remove her from life support on April 13th. Sadly, her death would not be the last for his family.
“I’ve been through a lot, obviously starting out with my mom. 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.”
He went on to add, “I’ve seen a lot of coffins in the last seven months. I have a lot of people who have — in my family and my mom’s family — gotten COVID.”
Towns said that his main focus is to ensure that no one else in his family contracts the virus.
“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.”
Karl Sr., Towns father, also contracted COVID-19. However, he was able to make a full recovery.
When asked how he will move forward playing, knowing that his mother will not be cheering him on, the 6’11 star said that it will be a chance for him to reflect on the many memories that he had of his mother, though it will be difficult.
“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. It is going to be hard to play. It’s going to be difficult to say this is therapy. I don’t think [playing basketball] will ever be therapy for me again. But it gives me a chance to relive good memories I had.”
Towns says that he has found “comfort” in speaking with his teammates. He says that he is fortunate for the time that they spend speaking with him and allowing him a means to take his mind off of his grief, even if for a short period of time.
