NBA All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns Partners with GO Ministries/World Youth Clubs to Build State-of-the-Art Basketball Facility in the Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic, September 2024 – In a groundbreaking initiative poised to make a significant impact on youth development in the Dominican Republic, NBA All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves and a Global Ambassador of WYC since 2022 has announced a formal partnership with GO Ministries and World Youth Clubs.   This collaboration will spearhead the construction of a state-of-the-art basketball facility designed to offer unparalleled training and recreational opportunities for young athletes across the region. 

“I am excited to partner with GO Ministries/WYC to create a facility where kids can play basketball and provide a platform to learn life skills, build character, and pursue their dreams. The Dominican Republic has given me so much, and this is my way of giving back.”

Karl-Anthony Towns, NBA All-Star

A Vision for Youth Empowerment

Karl-Anthony Towns, a Dominican American basketball icon renowned for his long-standing contributions both on and off the court, has long nurtured a deep connection with the Dominican Republic through his late mother Jacqueline who was born there. This relationship, founded on his heritage and a profound sense of community, has inspired Towns to give back to the country he considers a second home. The new facility is a testament to his commitment to nurturing the next generation of Dominican athletes and empowering them through the transformative power of sports. Towns has proudly represented the Dominican Team in FIBA Competitions since he was 15 years old. 

The Facility: A Hub of Excellence

The basketball facility will be in Santiago, Dominican Republic. The project will feature a full-sized indoor basketball arena equipped with the latest sports technology. Additionally, the facility has access to a state-of-the-art training room and classroom, and a community meeting space to host workshops and events that support holistic youth development.

The design and construction of the facility will be undertaken by leading architectural and construction firm JMF Arquitectos specializing in sports infrastructure. The facility’s design emphasizes modern aesthetics and functionality, blending seamlessly with the local environment while providing a world-class training environment.

A Call to Action: Join Us in Making a Difference

Karl-Anthony Towns has made a substantial financial commitment to this initiative, reflecting his dedication and belief in its potential impact. However, to bring this ambitious project to fruition, he invites individuals, corporations, and organizations to join him in this transformative journey. Contributions will be used to fund construction, purchase equipment, and support ongoing programs at the facility.

“We are so excited to partner with Karl on this groundbreaking project,” remarks Will Partin, President of GO Ministries. “Karl’s involvement will open doors for youth who might otherwise miss such opportunities, fostering a new generation of leaders and champions in the Dominican Republic.”

Karl-Anthony Towns extends an invitation to the global community, enterprises, and philanthropic entities to engage in this extraordinary undertaking. To learn more about the initiative, you can click here.

About GO Ministries and World Youth Clubs

GO Ministries and World Youth Clubs are renowned for their commitment to community development and youth empowerment. Their collaborative approach is a perfect blend of sports, education, and leadership development. The partnership with Karl-Anthony Towns marks a significant expansion of their missions, bringing their expertise and resources to a new and impactful initiative.

GO Ministries has been working in the Dominican Republic for over 35 years, providing support, resources to local communities, and brings a wealth of knowledge in managing and operating sports facilities. World Youth Clubs develop and advance youth to fulfil their potential through its network, resources and partnerships.

About Karl-Anthony Towns

Karl-Anthony Towns, who plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves, is a four-time NBA All-Star, two-time All-NBA Third Team selection, and the 2016 Rookie of the Year. In January 2024 Towns scored a franchise-record 62 points in a game, which was also a career high. In 2022 he became the sixth man in NBA history to score 60 points and pull down 15 rebounds in a game. Towns is the second player in Timberwolves history to score 11,000 points and led the team to the playoffs in 2024, 2022 and 2018.

In addition to his basketball accomplishments, Towns was named the 2024 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion, the first Timberwolves player and fourth recipient of the award since its inception in 2021. He is also well known for his generosity and active support for many charitable organizations. Towns received the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for the month of November 2021 in recognition of his support for homeless youths. He is very involved with HopeKids, which helps families who have a child with cancer or some other life-threatening medical condition. In partnership with the Timberwolves, Towns sponsors the annual KAT’s Community Coat Drive for those in need. Recently Towns teamed up with the @NBA2K Foundation to unveil a newly refurbished NBA 2K court at a Minneapolis-area school. In February 2022 Towns donated $250,000 worth of Cue Health’s Covid-19 tests to public schools in New Jersey and Minneapolis. Previously he donated $100,000 to the Mayo Clinic to develop a test to rapidly detect COVID-19. Towns serves on the board of the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition and as a Global Ambassador for World Youth Clubs.

Towns has business partnerships with Nike, Gatorade, Fanatics, Peloton, Poshmark and Banreservas, among others. He served as an Executive Producer for the 2023 short film “Forgiving Johnny,” which premiered in July 2023. Towns is also a voice actor for the animated series “Velma,” which debuted on HBO Max in January 2023, and he has appeared in several films including “National Champions,” “What Men Want,” Netflix’s “High Flying Bird,” and Disney’s television series “Big City Greens.”