How 9 Timberwolves can benefit from the 2023 FIBA WC competition

Dominican Republic

Karl-Anthony Towns is getting into the act this off-season as an NBA player immersed in international intrigue and world workouts. But, surprisingly, this is not his first ‘rodeo,’ as a player on an international team. When he played for the Kentucky Wildcats, the Timberwolves center represented the Dominican Republic back in 2011 at the age of 16.

The 7-foot-0, 250-pound Timberwolves long-range marksman will be joined on Team Dominican Republic by fellow NBA players Al Horford (Boston Celtics) and Chris Duarte (Sacramento Kings)

This is all new for the Timberwolves bread and butter veteran, but the timing is ideal. After an injury-shortened season for Towns limited him to just 29 games, he has been seeking ways to ramp up to the NBA level of competition to prepare for a huge rebound in the 2023-24 NBA season.

Of course, Team Dominican Republic is ecstatic to land an NBA All-Star on their roster, and many believe that Towns’ ability to score in the paint and from the perimeter could improve the chances of Team Dominican Republic of winning the 2023 FIBA World Cup competition significantly.

Towns’ 2022-23 season performance was significantly less than his career averages, and the belief is that if he does not show better than his average this season, he could find himself moving at the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline. So his performance on Team Dominican Republic could be significant for his future with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the NBA.

Team Dominican Republic opens the competition against Team Philippines on August 25, 2023. Team Dominican Republic then turns to take on Team Italy on August 27, 2023. Finally, Team Dominican Republic’s third game will be against Team Angola on August 29, 2023.