Karl-Anthony Towns is a burgeoning double-double machine for the Minnesota Timberwolves and an early front-runner for rookie of the year honors, but before he cruised through a heralded one-year stint at Kentucky into the NBA, he was a Kevin Durant fan, just like everyone else.

In a clip that recently resurfaced on MSGVarsity.com, "Karl Towns" -- then just a talented high schooler from New Jersey -- got a chance to interview Durant, whom he called one of his "basketball idols."

TNT dug up the footage to air during the Warriors-Timberwolves game Thursday night in Minneapolis.

Towns, who turns 20 on Sunday, hides any nervousness pretty well, especially for a kid right in the middle of his awkward teen years. According to HoopsHype, the exchange left an impression on Durant as well.

"He was really sharp," Durant said. "He was wise beyond his years and that's something I picked up on really as soon as I started talking to him."

Towns, who is averaging 16.1 points and 10.5 rebounds a game this season, will get his first chance to share an NBA court with Durant, now 27, on Jan. 12, when Minnesota travels to Oklahoma City.

h/t r/NBA