If you haven’t noticed, Karl-Anthony Towns had the summer of a lifetime. Two rings later, one from winning the NBA Championship Finals game, a first for the Knicks in over 50 years, and one from his wedding day to the love of his life, Jordyn Woods-Towns, naturally, he’s still on a high. “It’s been a really good, epic summer. I definitely can’t say that it’s been bad,” he shares with ESSENCE amidst fashion week, where he was seen at the Tommy Hilfiger SS27 show.
His generational run isn’t ending anytime soon, either. Ahead of the upcoming NBA season, Towns has also partnered up with DOVE Men+Care to celebrate how fragrance helps men approach life with confidence—be it on or off the court. And, it was a natural fit, given Towns has long been a fan of the brand. “When I was growing up, I was introduced to the brand through my sister,” he shares.
These days, when it comes to his go-tos, Towns looks to the Bourbon Vanilla Hazelnut scent. “And my wife loves the scent of vanilla. So, to have something that I know works for me and my wife—and to know that she likes the way I smell when I use it, I was sold on the product,” he adds.
And speaking of self-care and routines, these are increasingly important to him as he heads into a high-pressure upcoming season. Specifically, showering is a major part of finding moments of peace and calm. “On game days, I’ve taken anywhere from about three to four showers a day,” he says. “And those showers are really important, especially one of them being right before the game,” providing that mental clarity. “Being so busy, I also don’t have many moments of time for myself. And sometimes that shower is the only time I’ll have for myself throughout the whole day,” he adds. That said, “I take those moments seriously.”
Additionally, fragrance is a major part of his game day ritual, and self-care routine in general. “One of the things my mom always stressed to me was the importance of smelling good,” he shares. “I grew up always having cologne on me, and always smelling good. I remember, we would always walk into the Macy’s nearby and get the sample colognes,” he recalls. This same approach rings true today. “I mean, it helped me get Jordyn, that’s all I have to say,” he adds with a laugh. “So, I guess it’s working.”
It also certainly helps that his lucky charm, Woods herself, and her iconic bag, the Woods by Jordyn Tux Clutch Mini in Summer Citrus, which was even on display at the Guggenheim, are always by his side. Although, “I think she’s retired, twin. She’s a little tired,” he shares about the bag itself. Instead, “I think the bridal one will get to shine, though,” he says of what will clearly mark a new era both personally and career-wise for him.
And, in between now and the official championship banner hanging ceremony at Madison Square Garden in October, Towns is staying mentally prepared and ready for the season to come. “If you’ve built a habit of taking things seriously and showing up as your best possible self throughout the season, it’s not going to change what you do later on in a year when things are getting much more difficult,” he shares of the mentality it takes to reach championship level. “You’ve set the standard that you’re okay taking the tough path, you’re okay doing the things that no one else wants to do. You’re okay with sacrificing everything for this goal.”
Author: Akili King
Read the original article on Essence.
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