New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns celebrated his 30th birthday last Saturday with a surprise that reached far beyond typical luxury gifts: a black 1990s Isuzu Trooper identical to the SUV once driven by his late mother, Jacqueline Cruz-Towns.
The vehicle was tracked down, shipped across the country and refurbished by Towns’ girlfriend, model Jordyn Woods. She took on the project after a summer conversation in which Towns told her he would choose his mother’s old car over any other if he could drive it for a single day.
“This s— is so fire. This is the best thing ever,” the 7-foot center exclaimed while taking the SUV for its first spin, according to video posted on Instagram.
Cruz-Towns died in April 2020 from complications related to COVID-19 at age 58. Woods and Towns began dating in May 2020 and went public with their relationship that September, according to People.
The Isuzu Trooper, last produced in 2002 before being replaced by the Ascender and Axiom models, now carries new meaning for the three-time All-Star, who is averaging 21.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists this season for New York.
Source: ESPN
