Karl-Anthony Towns chose the modern-day path to NBA riches when he played one season of basketball at the University of Kentucky before announcing his intention to turn pro along with six of his teammates on Thursday.

But when it came time to say good-bye to the Big Blue Nation, Towns went the old-fashioned route.

Towns posted hand-written thank you notes to UK fans, his coaching staff and the University of Kentucky on his Twitter account Saturday.

In his letter to the fans, Towns apologized for not bringing "the greatest fans on this planet" a coveted ninth national championship. He thanked the fans for their support and called his decision to turn pro "one of the hardest decisions that I have ever had to make in my life."

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Towns thanked the coaching staff for making him a better player and a better human being. He thanked "the best academic staff in the country" for providing him a world-class education and said "I cannot wait to come back and earn my degree."

Towns is projected by some analysts as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.

I have some things I want to say to the BBN, and I think I have the way to express myself in a fashion you only deserve it. #BBN #vent — My Brother's Keeper (@KATis32) April 11, 2015

My letter to the BBN (Part 1) pic.twitter.com/jsP0J833Q4 — My Brother's Keeper (@KATis32) April 11, 2015