Looking ahead at Towns 2014-15 season

Karl-Anthony Towns

F | 6-11 | 240 | Fr.

Metuchen, N.J. (St. Joseph's)

Preview Podcast: Publisher Brett Dawson and staff writers Aaron Smith and T.J. Walker break down their expectations of Karl-Anthony Towns.

Rewind: Towns put up huge numbers as a senior at St. Joseph's, averaging 22.1 points, 11.6 rebounds and five blocks per game in leading the Falcons to their first-ever New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Tournament of Champions title. He was named Gatorade named him the State Player of the Year in New Jersey and the National Player of the Year, and he was named to the McDonald's and Jordan Brand All-American teams.

Fast Forward: Towns' versatility could be key in a Kentucky frontcourt that's loaded with players 6-foot-10 and taller. He fits into the modern "stretch four" category, a power forward with perimeter skills whose three-point shooting ability forces defenses to contend with him away from the basket, spreading the floor. That should make him a safe bet to log major minutes and share the court in long stretches with one of Kentucky's other big men, Dakari Johnson, Willie Cauley-Stein and Trey Lyles.

John Calipari says: "Karl, at 7 feet tall, brings great versatility. He can obviously score it inside, but his ability to shoot and handle it like he's a guard will spread defenses out. His growth from his first stint with the Dominican team until now has been unbelievable, and I'm looking forward to working with him on the collegiate level."