MIES (Switzerland) - Karl-Anthony Towns may have started his FIBA journey wearing No. 12, but when he returned to the international stage in 2023, he proudly wore No. 32. The reason? His favorite player of all time - Magic Johnson.
Growing up, Towns idolized Magic’s flashy passes, court vision, and showtime energy, shaping the way he saw the game. But as he matured and played for the Dominican Republic, another influence crept into his style: Arvydas Sabonis, the legendary Lithuanian big man known for his pinpoint passing and high-IQ play.
"When I was growing up, it was all like, I wear 32 I wanted to be like Magic [Johnson] so everything with me revolved around being like flashy flashy passes," said Towns on The Backyard Podcast with his good friend D'Angelo Russel. "And then I got older and I was playing for the [Dominican Republic] team and then I was like 'Oh, I want to pass more like Arvydas Sabonis'."
I was like 'Oh, I want to pass more like Arvydas Sabonis'
"Everything they do is kinda like over the head like this and I know it looks flashy to people, but for me it just feels normal because it's just easier for me to get it to where I want it to go."
Towns’ FIBA career has showcased both influences.
He’s got Magic’s swagger, running the floor and making plays with an undeniable charisma. At the same time, there’s Sabonis’ patience in the post, where he picks apart defenses and finds teammates in perfect positions. In the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Towns averaged 24.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, proving he could dominate as a scorer while also creating for others.
Magic, of course, put on a show at the 1992 Olympics with the USA’s original Dream Team, dishing out 5.5 assists per game en route to gold. He also played in the AmeriCup in that same year and dished out 9 assists in the one game he played.
Meanwhile, Sabonis was a dominant force in international play, averaging 23.3 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in the 1986 FIBA World Championship, redefining what a big man could do.
Like Magic, Towns brings leadership and confidence to every game. Like Sabonis, he understands that great passing isn’t just about style - it’s about making everyone better. And in the world of basketball, where teamwork reigns supreme, that’s a perfect combination.
A little Magic, a little Sabonis, and a whole lot of KAT.
FIBA