Sports · Basketball · 22 hrs ago
Karl-Anthony Towns speaks about grief and mental health
Karl-Anthony Towns, a New York Knicks player, spoke publicly about the grief he has felt since his mother died from complications of COVID-19 six years ago.
He shared his experience at a World Mental Health Day event in New York, shortly before the new NBA season.
Towns said basketball felt hollow after her death, and he was unsure whether he wanted to keep playing.
He found some relief by talking with Arnie Kander, a strength and wellness coach he trusted.
Towns said those conversations helped him express his feelings and made life feel lighter.
The event’s organizer, Project Healthy Minds, hopes his openness will encourage people to seek mental health care.
Its free online service helps people find therapy, psychiatric care, support groups and other services.
Karl-Anthony Towns spoke publicly about grieving his mother, who died from complications of COVID-19.
The New York Knicks player said he still feels he is in a period of grief that began six years ago.
He described how his mother’s death made basketball feel hollow and said conversations with a trusted coach helped him.
Towns shared his experience at a World Mental Health Day event organized by Project Healthy Minds in New York.
The nonprofit hopes his example will encourage others to seek mental health care.
- Who
- Karl-Anthony Towns, a New York Knicks player, spoke about his experience of grief.
- What
- He discussed grieving his mother and the impact of talking with someone he trusted.
- When
- Saturday, on World Mental Health Day. The article was published on October 10, 2026.
- Where
- A Project Healthy Minds event in New York.
- Why
- He shared his emotional journey; Project Healthy Minds hopes his example will encourage people to seek mental health care.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I didn't know if I wanted to do it anymore
Just to be heard, to be able to talk to someone you can trust, be able to really unload all that pain onto it and allow them to understand your feelings and articulate your feelings the right way, it makes life much lighter
I think it says a lot that Karl Towns is feeling comfortable enough right before the season starts to be able to be so open about it.
Towns’s period of grief began after his mother died from complications of COVID-19.
Towns said he felt “this very big calm” entering the first game.
Towns spoke about his grief at Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day event in New York.
- Speaker
- Karl-Anthony Towns
- Team
- New York Knicks
- Mother's death
- Complications from COVID-19
- Event
- Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day event
- Support
- Strength and wellness coach Arnie Kander
Sources
Related news
Warriors and Brandin Podziemski agree to five-year, $110 million extension
Towns disappointed as Knicks pause contract extension talks
Kyrie Irving scores 17 in return from knee injury
Wizards Sign Alondes Williams and Waive Skal Labissiere
ASVEL beats Roanne 96-77 in Tony and TJ Parker’s rematch
Kings center Maxime Raynaud injures right knee in preseason game
Knicks pause extension talks with Towns, Hart and two other players
Atlanta Dream sweep New York to reach WNBA Finals for first time since 2013
Kyrie Irving scores 17 in return as Mavericks beat Rockets in China
Kyrie Irving scores 17 in first game back after ACL injury
Valkyries sweep Aces to reach first WNBA Finals
