Karl-Anthony Towns is already making plans to share the New York Knicks' first NBA championship in 53 years with the Dominican Republic.
Days after helping deliver the franchise's first title since 1973, Towns received a congratulatory phone call from Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader.
A video shared online showed Abinader praising the Knicks star for a historic achievement that resonated throughout the country.
"I want to congratulate you for all your success, and really the Dominican Republic is very proud," Abinader said in English.
The president reflected on the significance of the moment for Towns' family and referenced the player’s late mother, Jacqueline Cruz-Towns, who was born in the Dominican Republic and died from COVID-19 complications in 2020.
"Your mother has to be very proud of you in Heaven, looking at you," Abinader told him. "As well as all the country, all the Dominicans are very proud of you, of your success.”
Abinader invited Towns to attend the Dominican Republic's July 3 matchup against the United States at the recently renovated NBA pavilion inside the Palacio de los Deportes Virgilio Travieso Soto.
Towns said he did not realize the renovations had been completed and told the president he would "try" to attend.
He also spoke about what it means to see the Dominican Republic receive greater international attention.
"It's awesome that our country is being shown to the world at the highest standard, and everyone is being able to see how amazing the Dominican Republic really is," Towns said.
Before ending the call, he added that he was "forever grateful and honored to be a Dominican."
While Towns and Abinader did not directly discuss bringing the championship trophy to the Dominican Republic during the call, the Knicks star made his intentions clear during his post-Game 5 press conference.
“Hell yeah, I'm bringing the trophy over there,” Towns said. “We're taking it all over. Yessir, l'm gonna bring it to Santiago, Santo Domingo, Casa de Campo, La Romana ... We’re gonna have a li’l world tour with it. But it’s great that Dominicans all around the world get to celebrate this moment."
