TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — New York Knicks star center Karl-Anthony Towns arrived at Taoyuan International Airport at 5:09 a.m. on Thursday.
Towns was met by an enthusiastic group of fans who shouted, "Welcome to Taiwan," as he walked through the terminal. Towns responded by saying "Thank you" in Mandarin and signing autographs on jerseys and player cards, per CNA.
Representatives from the Taiwan Beer Leopards basketball team greeted him and announced Towns would attend a 3-on-3 basketball tournament at the Westin Tashee Resort in Taoyuan on Thursday.
Towns waves to fans at airport. (CNA photo)
One basketball fan, surnamed Chen (陳), said it had been a long time since an NBA player visited Taiwan. As a Knicks fan, he felt compelled to go to the airport, and, unsure of which flight Towns would be on, he arrived at 3:40 a.m.
He admires Towns' aggressive style of play and his outstanding performance in the playoffs. Chen brought a player card, hoping to get it signed.
The 29-year-old Towns has played in the NBA for 10 seasons. After joining the Knicks via trade last year, he averaged 24.4 points and 12.8 rebounds per game.
Towns was selected to the NBA All-Star Game and also made the All-NBA Third Team. He helped the Knicks reach the Eastern Conference Finals before losing to the Indiana Pacers.
3-on-3 tournament to be played on Thursday. (Westin Tashee Resort image)