Minnesota Timberwolves talisman Karl-Anthony Towns turned 21 years old on Tuesday, and what better present for a young hooper than landing the cover of ESPN The Magazine, which will hit newsstands this Friday.

The issue is fittingly titled “The Great Heights Issue” starring the 7-foot Kentucky product.

Michael Rand of The Minneapolis Star Tribune was present in Towns' early October shoot, capturing a few images of the Timberwolves star in his element — a mini-tree and hanging cloud set created for his use during the shoot.

Photos courtesy of Michael Rand of The Minneapolis Star Tribune