The NBA world learned devastating news on Monday as the mother of Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns, Jacqueline Cruz, died after a month-long battle with COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
Back in March, Towns announced in social media videos that his mother was placed in a medically induced coma following a positive coronavirus diagnosis. His father was also quarantined for COVID-19 symptoms.
In his initial video, Towns urged fans to take the coronavirus seriously and practice social distancing. He said at the time:
“This disease is real.This disease needs to not be taken lightly. Please protect your families, your loved ones, your friends, yourself. Practice social distancing.”
He also donated $100,000 to the Mayo Clinic for work on coronavirus testing.
With the news of Jacqueline Cruz’s death, the NBA community was quick to offer condolences to the Towns family.
