Karl-Anthony Towns Does Not Stick to Sports in The Players' Tribune

by:Nick Roush08/25/17

@RoushKSR

Before Karl-Anthony Towns returned to Lexington for tonight's charity alumni game, he expressed his concerns about our country's race relations following the last weekend's protests in Charlottesville. An eloquent speaker and writer, Towns used his prominent platform to have an honest discussion about racism in America.  Even though many see him as just a basketball player, he's a black man who's disappointed with what he's seen across the country over the last year.  He refuses to simply "stick to sports."

To anyone who says, “Stick to sports” … let’s be real: Our President used to host a reality TV show. You’re telling me I can’t voice a political opinion?

The piece is not primarily focused on blasting Donald Trump, but he did use a basketball analogy to condemn the President's reaction to what happened in Charlottesville.

I was shocked by how our President responded to Charlottesville.

Our President was given a layup: Denounce white supremacists.

And he couldn’t … and wouldn’t.

He missed … he missed badly.

I think about it like this: The President’s response, in basketball terms … ’cause you may know I know a little about the sport … was just like catching the ball on a fast break – no one else is even past half court – and then tripping on your own feet inside the paint as the ball flies out of bounds.

Should’ve been pretty easy.

Before you watch him play basketball tonight in Rupp Arena, see America through Towns' eyes by reading "There Are More of Us Than There Are of Them." https://www.theplayerstribune.com/karl-anthony-towns-charlottesville/ w

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