Obi Toppin Overview
Obadiah Richard “Obi” Toppin Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A power forward known for his exceptional athleticism and explosive dunks, Toppin has made significant contributions to his teams since entering the league in 2020. After being selected eighth overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks, he won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 2022 before being traded to the Pacers in 2023. Toppin has developed into a versatile forward who can score effectively from multiple areas on the court.
Early Life and College Career
Toppin was born in Brooklyn, New York, and moved several times during his youth, attending high schools in Florida, New York, and Maryland. After not receiving any NCAA Division I offers out of high school, he played a postgraduate year at Mt. Zion Preparatory School in Maryland, where he grew to 6 feet 9 inches and averaged 17 points per game. He committed to play college basketball at the University of Dayton, where he would begin his collegiate career. After being academically ineligible as a true freshman, Toppin redshirted and then exploded onto the scene as a red-shirt freshman. He led the Flyers with 14.4 points per game, was named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year, and became the first freshman to make first-team All-Atlantic 10 since Lamar Odom in 1999.
College Dominance and NBA Draft
Entering his red-shirt sophomore season, Toppin continued his remarkable development. He was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Week multiple times and led Dayton to a second-place finish at the 2019 Maui Invitational Tournament. On December 30, 2019, Toppin scored a career-high 31 points with a school-record 10 dunks. Despite spraining his left ankle in January 2020, he continued to perform at an elite level. At the end of the regular season, Toppin averaged 20 points, 7.5 rebounds, and shot 63.3% from the field. He earned numerous accolades including first-team All-Atlantic 10, Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, consensus first-team All-American, the Karl Malone Award, and the consensus National Player of of the Year. After his sophomore season, Toppin declared for the 2020 NBA draft and was selected eighth overall by the New York Knicks.
Obi Toppin Professional Journey
Toppin has played for two NBA teams during his professional career, starting with the New York Knicks before joining the Indiana Pacers. His development as a professional basketball player has seen him grow from a rookie participant in the Slam Dunk Contest to an established forward capable of contributing significant scoring and rebounding production.
New York Knicks (2020–2023)
Toppin made his NBA debut on December 23, 2020, against the Indiana Pacers, recording 9 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 blocks. As a rookie, he was invited to participate in the 2021 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, finishing in second place behind Anfernee Simons. During his second season, Toppin returned to the Slam Dunk Contest and this time emerged victorious, beating Juan Toscano-Anderson in the final round on April 16, 2022. The 2021-22 season saw him establish himself as a scoring threat, recording a then career-high 42 points on April 10, 2022, against the Toronto Raptors. During the final five games of the 2022-23 season, Toppin became a starter and continued to solidify his role with strong performances. In the 2023 NBA Playoffs, he stepped up as a starter in the second round after Julius Randle’s injury, recording a playoff career-high 18 points and 8 rebounds in Game 1 against the Miami Heat.
Indiana Pacers (2023–Present)
On July 7, 2023, Toppin was traded to the Indiana Pacers for two future second-round picks. He made his debut with the Pacers on October 25, 2023, as a starter, tallying 11 points, four rebounds, and an assist in a victory over the Washington Wizards. Toppin quickly established himself as an important contributor, recording a season-high 27 points on November 14, 2023, against the Philadelphia 76ers. On January 26, 2024, he put up a double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds, including a game-winning layup in a 133-131 win over the Phoenix Suns. During the 2023-24 season, Toppin averaged career-highs as the main backup to Pascal Siakam. In the 2024 playoffs, he scored a playoff career-high 21 points in a series-clinching victory against the Milwaukee Bucks. On July 6, 2024, Toppin re-signed with the Pacers on a four-year, $60 million contract extension. During the 2024-25 season, he continued to develop his three-point shooting, hitting a season-high 34 points, including 12 in overtime and the game-winning three-pointer against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 17, 2025. However, in October 2025, Toppin underwent surgery to place a screw in the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot, ruling him out for at least three months.
Obi Toppin Achievements and Results
Throughout his career, both in college and professionally, Obi Toppin has earned numerous accolades and established himself as one of the most exciting young talents in the NBA. His combination of athleticism, scoring ability, and versatility has made him a valuable player for every team he has represented.
College Achievements
Toppin’s college career at Dayton was marked by numerous awards and recognitions. As a red-shirt freshman in 2018-19, he was named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year and made first-team All-Atlantic 10. In his red-shirt sophomore season in 2019-20, he reached new heights, earning Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, consensus first-team All-American, and the consensus National Player of the Year. He also won the Karl Malone Award as the nation’s top power forward. Toppin finished his college career with 1,096 points and a school-record 190 dunks.
NBA Achievements
In the NBA, Toppin has quickly made his mark. As a rookie in 2020-21, he finished second in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. The following year, in 2022, he returned and won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, cementing his reputation as one of the most athletic players in the league. During his time with the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers, Toppin has developed into a consistent scorer, with multiple 30-point games. His ability to score efficiently from both inside and beyond the arc has made him a valuable offensive weapon. In the 2024 playoffs, he helped the Pacers advance by averaging 21 points in a series-clinching victory against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Professional Career Highlights
– 2022 NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion
– 2021 NBA Slam Dunk Contest runner-up
– Career-high 42 points (April 10, 2022, vs. Toronto Raptors)
– 2023-24 season averages: career-highs in points, rebounds, and three-point percentage
– Playoff career-high 21 points (May 2, 2024, vs. Milwaukee Bucks)
– Four-year, $60 million contract extension with Indiana Pacers (July 6, 2024)