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From KAT to Ant, meet a favorite barber to the Timberwolves

Akeem Akway is the go-to barber to some of the biggest star athletes.

EAGAN, Minnesota — On Tuesday afternoon, the talk at Akway's Sports Barbershop in Eagan was all about the Timberwolves' Game 7 win over the Nuggets.

But it was touch and go for awhile. 

"I saw we were down 20. I took a few shots to numb the pain," Akeem Akway said, laughing. 

Akway recalled Sunday night while cutting Michael Grady's hair — the television play-by-play voice of the Wolves. 

"Given the circumstances, it being a Game 7 and chance to go to the conference finals, that's probably the best game that I've covered. Hands down," Grady said. 

Grady has been going to Akway every other week for the past two years. 

"I came to the Timberwolves from New York. I was with the Brooklyn Nets. So, very important for a brother when he moves into a new city to find a barber. That's like number one on the list," Grady recalled. 

He went to social media and was recommended Akway. 

"Someone said, 'I saw an article on a guy who cuts hair for the team. You should check him out,'" Grady said. 

Akway started his career in high school, cutting hair in the locker room for his basketball teammates. 

"Gary Trent Jr. and Tre Jones. I started cutting them while they were still in high school... Apple Valley," Akway said. "I remember I told Tre Jones, 'If you send me Tyus, I'll give you free cuts for the rest of your life.'" 

Karl-Anthony Towns then found Akway through social media. 

"Me and KAT... he built that relationship where he would just send all the new guys to me. So I've witnessed the Timberwolves during their downtime, since KAT got drafted in 2015, to now we're in the Western Finals," Akway said. "I'm just happy to see them... finally their hard work is paying off."

Tuesday after seeing Grady, Akway had plans to cut Towns' hair before Wednesday's home game against the Mavericks. 

Akway has sat courtside for many of the Timberwolves' games this season. 

"I would be sitting courtside and seeing some of my work... them playing well. I always give myself a little credit for that," Akway said, laughing. 

Grady chimed in, "Look good, play good." 

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