Special Detail About Karl-Anthony Towns' NBA All-Star Game Shoes Revealed

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Madz Dizon | Last updated Feb 17, 2025 9:14 PM ET

New York Knicks forward Karl-Anthony Towns' shoes at the 2025 NBA All-Star Game featured a heartfelt tribute to his late mother, Jacqueline Cruz, who passed away from COVID-19 in 2020.

Towns, who played for Chucks Global Stars at NBA All-Star, debuted a new player-exclusive version of the Nike GT Jump 2 sneakers, which included his mother’s name printed on the side near the first lace hole.

The sentimental detail caught the attention of fans when the NBA on ESPN shared a close-up photo of the shoes on Instagram.

Towns, who is not yet known for having a signature shoe line, made his All-Star debut in these special sneakers during his fifth appearance at the game.

The shoes were part of a wave of new colorways unveiled by NBA stars, but Towns' choice stood out because of the personal tribute.

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His mother, Jacqueline, was a significant influence on his life, and Towns honored her memory with the shoes. Fans won’t be able to purchase these sneakers, as they are a player-exclusive model not available in stores, per The Sports Rush.

In addition to his All-Star performance, Towns has been elected as a vice president on the National Basketball Players Association's executive board alongside Gabe Vincen, according to Hoops Hype.

As he prepares for the next chapter of his career, Towns heads back to the Knicks for their upcoming game against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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