It's been nearly a year since Karl-Anthony Towns left the University of Kentucky to follow his dream of playing in the NBA. The Minnesota Timberwolves took him as the number one pick in the NBA Draft. Towns's first season is expected to end with him winning NBA Rookie of the Year.

Towns is back in Lexington this week and stopped by the WKYT studios to talk to Jennifer Palumbo, host of "This is Kentucky Basketball" on the UK TV Network.

Jennifer Palumbo:

What brings you back to Lexington?

Karl-Anthony Towns:

Just to have a great time and to see some family and friends. Having a little bit of fun and getting to see coach Calipari and the Wildcats again.

JP:

How have things changed for you since last season when you left Kentucky to your first year in the NBA which was just an incredible season for you with the Timberwolves?

KAT:

Nothing has really changed. I mean everything is still the same. The only thing i think has really changed is the scenery, the jersey, and the number on the front. So everything is still the same, I still live the same exact way I lived when I was in high school. I've had the same number since i was in second grade.

JP:

I remember asking you a year ago, what was going to be your first splurge when you got that first NBA check. You said you were going to pay off your parents' mortgage. Did you do that?

KAT:

I did that exactly. You're right. I did that and I had a ball. I had fun just to see my parents light up and have that first time they could actually breathe without worrying about bills. You know that just makes me feel better that I've worked tremendously hard to give my parents a better life.

JP:

You've told me you are frugal and you are not a big spender. Was there any splurge for you?

KAT:

I think if anything, the biggest thing I've spent money on was probably a laptop. I love playing video games. We're always traveling and I love the chance to play video games on the go so I bought a laptop, but other than that i think there's really nothing different. I think that's the biggest splurge I've ever had.

JP:

You have a reputation for being a perfectionist, that you always think you can do better, but NBA Rookie of the Year is a huge honor. What will that mean to you?

KAT:

It just means a lot of hard work, a lot of hard work being recognized. So I'm just going to be blessed to have the opportunity to even be considered for the award. I'm just having a lot of fun playing the game of basketball. just living my life.

JP:

What will you be doing now in the offseason?

KAT:

Working hard, you know. This next season will be big for us. We have a new coach, a new GM, the front office has changed a little bit. so we all have to get on the same page. But also it's gonna be a lot of hard work for all of us to make our dreams and goals come true.

JP:

You got a chance to spend some time this week with John Calipari. You're able to be friends now, he can't tell you what do anymore.

KAT:

Exactly, but I've had a lot of fun. I got a chance to see him work out. I did not know he was this big into working out so he is looking good! I am really proud of him. He has really put an effort into really getting in shape. Next thing you know he'll be out there with a six-pack, playing basketball with Bam and all of them.

JP:

What does his friendship mean to you?

KAT:

It means the world. When you have a coach like that who is not just a coach, but almost a father to you at the same time that's a relationship you could've never gotten anywhere but from here.

JP:

There are a lot of expectations for this incoming Kentucky team. You knew what that was like with the expectations, the pursuit of perfection. What do you see in this team next season?

KAT:

I see a lot of talent. It's just up to them to want to unite to one common goal, and who knows? They could even be better than the team we were. I hope they are.

JP:

Big Blue Nation has always shown a lot of suppport for you. What do the UK fans mean to you now because a lot of them are still cheering for you and former Cats in the NBA.

KAT:

It means the world to us to have the chance to really just rep them, rep BBN, rep the Kentucky Wildcats, rep blue and white, rep all of them while being in the NBA. The fact they keep cheering us on and appreciating everything from the university. It just shows how classy BBN is.

Towns also shared an encounter he had in a McDonald's with a UK fan who mistook him for former Wildcat Andrew Harrison.