Karl-Anthony Towns isn’t lacking in funds, but he does have specific tastes when it comes to his personal card collection. Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s card? Well, it just didn’t meet his criteria.
“I’m a big Yankee fan,” Towns mentioned, adding that his collection features a lot of Yankees memorabilia.
Recently, he auctioned off an autographed card of Yamamoto for a staggering $72,000, which set a new record for a Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher.
As a power forward for the Knicks, Towns’s earnings this season top $49 million. His enthusiasm for cards is so strong that he even runs an Instagram account focused on that passion, aptly named “BigBodegaCards.”
He revealed that his most cherished card is a 1933 Lou Gehrig, estimated to be worth around $14,000.
While Towns, who pitched in high school, has enjoyed watching Yamamoto’s performances, he felt that there might be others who would value this card more.
He shared, “I think (Yamamoto) has a great future as a player. It’s exciting to see him pitch against top hitters, especially as he develops.” He added, “Honestly, I’m just a Yankees fan. There’s a chance someone else might appreciate this card more, and I wanted to see how that story unfolded.”
Towns sold the card to an undisclosed buyer through a Fanatics Collect auction.
According to a writer from The Athletic, this amount nearly doubles the previous record for a Yamamoto card sale just a year ago.
A video last week showed Towns unboxing a signed card from Yamamoto, where he joyfully exclaimed, “I’m so lucky.” He also mentioned his collection includes “Kaboom” cards and Disney-themed triple-signed cards.
Growing up in Metuchen, New Jersey, Towns has long been vocal about his love for the Yankees, and his card collection reflects that passion, despite letting go of the rare Yamamoto item.
On the court, Towns is still adapting to his new role in Mike Brown’s updated offense.
Now, at 30 years old, he’s putting up an average of 21.5 points and 12.8 rebounds in 33.2 minutes, although his shooting stats are dipping—field goals at 42.9 percent and three-point shooting at 31.7 percent.
“After nearly every game, I say I want to find new ways to help the team win,” Towns reflected post-practice on Friday, looking ahead to a matchup against the Magic. “We’re all figuring things out together, and there’s definitely room for improvement in taking better shots. But I remain confident. Getting our first road win is crucial. It marks a good start in pursuing our goals.”
“The offense? It’s different—something I haven’t encountered in my 11 years in the NBA. But I’m enjoying this challenge. I’ll continue to evolve and strive to contribute to wins and help the team in every possible way.”
