Kentucky center Karl-Anthony Towns won’t admit if he is rooting for a specific ping-pong ball to come up for his childhood team, the Knicks, in the May 19 NBA Draft lottery. But he does admit Knicks president Phil Jackson is exactly the kind of “presence’’ he would like to be around in the NBA.

Towns, who flew in from Lexington, Ky., to appear at his high school in Metuchen, N.J., Sunday at a signing event to raise money for St. Joseph’s, told The Post how much he admires the Zen Master, who watched one of Kentucky’s practices in Lexington on Feb. 27.

“It’s his presence,’’ Towns told The Post. “What he means to me, his presence is just amazing. What was so awesome as a coach, he made every player better and put them in the best position to succeed. He’s just so smart and intelligent and has so much experience. He knows how to win. At the end of the day, what every player wants to do is win. If I have the opportunity to ever play for the Knicks, that’s what I would love to do.’’

It has been evident since last month Jackson has a preference for Towns over center Jahlil Okafor, saying multiple times he prefers a defensive-oriented big man in the draft over an offensive-only center. Towns has scored high marks as a two-way player while Okafor is known as one-dimensional, with his energy on defense lagging.

The Knicks, in need of a big man, have a 19.9 percent chance of winning the top pick.

Towns is unsure where he will watch the lottery, but he will watch.

“We’re all going to be watching it,’’ Towns said. “It’s a key moment in all of our lives.’’

He chuckled when asked if he hopes the ping-pong balls go the Knicks’ way.

“A lot of my friends ask me that,’’ Towns said. “I say the same thing: Wherever the chips fall, the chips fall. I’m just happy to have the opportunity to join the elite group of players in the NBA.’’

If the center-heavy 76ers win the lottery, they may pass on Towns and Okafor and nab guard D’Angelo Russell, according to a report.

Towns still has his Knicks ballcap in his bedroom in Jersey.

“Yeah, in this area growing up, you don’t have the money to have the NBA League Pass, so you got the local teams,’’ Towns said. “I always got a chance to watch the MSG channel and watch the Knicks play. I grew up to have a lot of respect for the Knicks.’’

As he continued to talk to prospective agents, Towns said he has made no decision on whether to participate in the drills at the Chicago draft combine May 14-17. That is also a place where the players interview with team executives.

He said he still is not over the stunning 71-64 Final Four loss to Wisconsin on April 4 that spoiled an unbeaten season. Towns scored 16 points and had nine rebounds.

“I’ll never get over that game,’’ he said. “It will stay with me the rest of my life. Chalk it up as a learning experience. We all have regrets, all feel we could’ve given a little more.’’

Known for his academic excellence in high school, Towns will complete his final exams this week in Lexington and be done with a 16-credit workload. He hasn’t decided where he will work out — Lexington or Jersey.

Jackson has preached this spring not to put too much pressure next season on their lottery pick because of age and freshman status. Towns, 19, isn’t backing away from early expectations.

“I know I have to learn a lot,’’ Towns said. “Once you get in the league, you have to learn different schemes and learn how to play NBA basketball. I just am blessed to have played against NBA prospects [at Kentucky] every day in practice. I have all the confidence in my skill set and game that I can come in and help an organization that drafts me.’’

And he can’t wait to help his high school.

“I want to give back to the school that gave me so much when I was there,’’ Towns said.