Karl Anthony-Towns Survives Scary Illness, Lost Around 17 Pounds

NBA 3-Point Contest - Karl-Anthony Towns

Timberwolves center and three-time NBA All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns that an illness not related to COVID-19 wreaked havoc on his stout body.

The giant practiced for the first time after missing the first week of training camp. Towns didn’t delve into the details very deeply. However, the illness caused him to spend time in the hospital before being treated and released.

“There was [sic] more drastic things to worry about than basketball at that moment,” Towns told The Athletic. “I wasn’t too worried about basketball for a while. But I miss the game, I love the game. I miss these guys.”

Doctors advised Towns to stay home before having clearance to restart walking at the end of last week. The 2016 Rookie of the Year who averages over 23 points and 11 rebounds has played most of his professional career at 248 pounds. He is now 231 pounds.

In fairness, Gobert planned to drop weight to accommodate the new big man on the team. Standout defensive center Rudy Gobert joined the Timberwolves after the Utah Jazz received a king’s ransom. New subjects of the Jazz’s growing kingdom included small forward Malik Beasley, pesky defensive ace Patrick Beverley, who is now a Laker,  power forward Jarred Vanderbilt, small forward Leandro Bolmaro, the draft rights to the 22nd overall pick of the 2022 draft 7’1 rim protector Walker Kessler, the Timberwolves’ unprotected 2023, 2025, and 2027 first-round picks, the Wolves 2029 first-round pick (top-five protected), and the right to swap first-rounders with Minnesota in 2026.

That’s quite a haul and quite a journey for Towns and the Timberwolves franchise to endure.

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