Karl-Anthony Towns speaks out against Trump, Charlottesville violence

Minnesota Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns on Friday became the latest athlete to speak out against President Trump in the wake of the violent rallies which erupted in Charlottesville, Va. two weekends ago, writing in The Players' Tribune that he was "shocked" by the president's response.

"Our President was given a layup: Denounce white supremacists," the 21-year-old star wrote. "And he couldn’t … and wouldn’t. He missed … he missed badly.

"I think about it like this: The President’s response, in basketball terms … ’cause you may know I know a little about the sport … was just like catching the ball on a fast break — no one else is even past half court — and then tripping on your own feet inside the paint as the ball flies out of bounds. Should’ve been pretty easy.

"It’s disheartening when our President doesn’t understand his words carry a tremendous amount of weight. It’s really hard to see our President refuse to stand up for what’s right — at a time when the country needs it. Especially for minorities. It’s not like we’re talking about taxes or something. We’re talking about the big issue that has divided the country since its birth."

Towns, well-liked off the court for his exuberant personality, added that people shouldn't overlook what he's saying simply because he's a professional athlete.

"Second, I know that some people will downplay what I’m saying because I play in the NBA. They’ll say 'stick to sports' and woo-woo-woo. But I believe the culture is changing when it comes to athletes speaking out on the things that really matter.

"Basketball is what I do for a living, not who I am as a man. So as athletes we have a huge opportunity to support what we think is right and to speak up about what we think is wrong.

"And to anyone who says, 'Stick to sports' … let’s be real: Our President used to host a reality TV show. You’re telling me I can’t voice a political opinion?"

Many other current and former NBA players have spoken out against President Trump over the past couple of weeks, including LeBron James, who referred to him as a "so-called president" and tweeted that he has "made hate fashionable again."