Fans were quick to remind Karl-Anthony Towns of his roots after he shared his thoughts on the Dominican Republic’s controversial exit from the World Baseball Classic.
The Dominican Republic saw its WBC run come to an end on a brutal strike call that was well below the zone. Dominican shortstop Geraldo Perdomo was called out on strikes to end the game, sealing a 2-1 victory for Team USA.
Towns, whose mother hails from the Dominican Republic, slammed the call as he spoke to reporters on Sunday, following the New York Knicks’ 110-107 win over the Golden State Warriors.
“Hell yeah, that was a ball, man!” Towns said. “That’s some bulls–t. We had Fernando Tatis Jr. coming up, bro. Come on, man.”
Karl-Anthony Towns says the final call in tonight's WBC game against his Dominican Republic team was "some bulls–t" pic.twitter.com/iuDTV9ypP5
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) March 16, 2026
Several fans responded to Towns in the replies, noting that the Kentucky alum was born and raised in New Jersey.
Dude was born and raised in New Jersey btw…
— Duck From OC (@DuckFromOC) March 16, 2026
Did he really just say “you say that as an American” while he is from New Jersey?
— Lettuce (@120fpslettuce) March 16, 2026
“You say that as an American”. Bro grew up in Edison, NJ. Okay
— Rick (@SlickieRic) March 16, 2026
The shots taken at Towns were in the same vein as the criticisms aimed at Team Italy’s World Baseball Classic roster, which is made up of mostly American-born players of Italian descent. Team Italy captain Vinnie Pasquantino, a Virginia native, has since responded to those criticizing American-born players who choose to suit up for other countries.
Towns may have had an American upbringing, but the sweet-shooting center has represented the Dominican Republic in international play since he was 16.
