New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns has been awarded the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award for February. The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association made the announcement. Towns is being recognised for his impact in the community.
Towns is also the NBPA Vice President.
Coat Drive and Local Support
Towns’ community work includes leading a digital coat drive to support local families. He has also invested in youth development initiatives in the Dominican Republic. He serves as an advocate for social justice and underserved communities.
The NBA and the NBPA Foundation will donate $20,000 to Dominican Women’s Development Center in recognition of his efforts.
This winter, Towns hosted a digital coat drive campaign to provide coats to families in need across New York. Towns donated 500 coats valued at $12,500, in partnership with Operation Warm. An additional 162 coats were contributed through his partnership with Target.
All coats were donated to the Garden of Dreams Foundation partner SCO Family of Services. Ahead of the Knicks’ Celebrating the Black Experience game on Feb. 10, Towns met with youth from SCO Family of Services who received the coats earlier in the year.
This further reinforced his hands‑on approach to community engagement.
Investment in Dominican Republic
Towns has demonstrated a deep commitment to global youth development and his Dominican heritage. He played a leading role in securing a $3 million investment for a basketball facility in the Dominican Republic. This was in partnership with Go Ministries to provide training and recreational opportunities for young athletes across the region.
In 2024, he pledged $1 million to help break ground for the facility. Towns travelled to the Dominican Republic ahead of the current NBA season. There, he met with President Luis Abinader to fundraise an additional $2 million in contributions towards the facility.
Social Justice Advocacy
Towns has remained an active leader and ambassador for social justice initiatives. He is a committed board member of the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition (NBSJC). He has played a prominent role in the 2025 – 2026 NBA/NBPA Pioneer’s campaign – honouring the first Black NBA players.
The campaign includes former New York Knick Nathaniel “Sweetwater” Clifton. Towns contributed to digital storytelling content highlighting the legacy of the NBA pioneers. He also participated in a special meet‑and‑greet with a recipient of the Knicks’ Sweetwater Clifton City Spirit Award.
Towns said that giving back to the community is very important to him. He added that partnering with the Dominican Women’s Development Center in New York City will provide daycare for the mothers and kids. It will also provide mental health and healthcare support to new mums and their children. Towns said he is incredibly grateful to receive this award.