NBA ALL-STAR WEEKEND
Who is Jacob Toppin and what team does he play for?
Obi Toppin’s younger brother came to the NBA with a two-way contract that he signed with the Knicks before starting the 2023-24 season after not being drafted in 2023.
The NBA Slam Dunk Contest is one of the highlights of the All-Star Weekend, and this year, one of the participants will be Jacob Toppin. The New York Knicks small forward will compete against Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics, Jaime Jaquez Jr. of the Miami Heat, and Mac McClung, the defending champion and member of the Osceola Magic in the G League.
What team does Jacob Toppin play for?
The younger brother of Obi Toppin, who plays for the Indiana Pacers, entered the NBA with a two-way contract signed before the start of the 2023-24 season after not being drafted in the 2023 Draft. Before making the leap to the NBA, Jacob spent four years playing college basketball.
He spent his first year at Rhode Island and the last three at the University of Kentucky. During his collegiate career, the small forward participated in 116 games and averaged 7.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.
Earning a spot in Tom Thibodeau’s rotation is challenging, and the rookie has only played in five games so far. However, he has recently seen more action, with the February 14 matchup against the Orlando Magic being the game where he logged the most time on the court. Toppin played for 17 minutes and 22 seconds, contributing 11 points and grabbing four rebounds.
Jacob Toppin's G League stats
Due to his two-way contract, Jacob has spent a significant portion of the 2023-24 season with the Winchester Knicks, the G League team. The 23-year-old small forward has appeared in 13 games in the developmental league, averaging 17.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists.