By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Giannis Antetokounmpo had a heartfelt moment with Karl-Anthony Towns prior to Tuesday’s game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Fiserv Forum. Town’s mother passing away in April reminded him of how hard it is to play basketball after such a loss. The Greek Freak himself went through his father’s death a few years ago.
“I kind of was in his spot four years ago when my dad passed away,” said Antetokounmpo, “I had the opportunity to talk with him a couple of months ago, but I haven’t seen him in a long time. So, I had to go up to him and speak with him, tell him a few words, to represent his mom in the best way, and tell him I’m sorry about his loss. But I kind of know how much he hurts. I know how hard it is to lose somebody that you love and then you gotta go and still do your job. It’s extremely hard.”
Jacqueline Cruz-Towns passed away due to complications of COVID-19 in April. By December, the Timberwolves’ star said he had lost six additional family members to the virus. Antetokounmpo’s father, Charles, passed away suddenly in September 2017.
“Giannis is a friend of mine I like to say,” noted Towns, “And I appreciate him. I don’t think he gets enough publicly how much of a man he is but I’ll say it for him, even though I know he won’t – I appreciate him and the way he’s reached out to me during my time. We really built a friendship there. So I’m really appreciative of him and the amount of care he’s put into me and my family.”