Obi Toppin is an American professional basketball player who plays as a power forward for the Indiana Pacers in the NBA. Born on March 4, 1998, in Brooklyn, New York, he has had an impressive journey from his early life to his professional career.
Early Life and Education: Toppin spent his early years in Brooklyn before moving to Florida, where he attended Heritage High School in Palm Bay and later Melbourne Central Catholic High School. He eventually moved to Ossining, New York, where he averaged 20.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals per game in his senior year.
After high school, he played a postgraduate year at Mt. Zion Preparatory School in Baltimore, Maryland, averaging 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. He committed to the University of Dayton, where he played college basketball for the Dayton Flyers.
College Career: During his freshman year at Dayton, Toppin led the team with 14.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, earning Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year honors. In his sophomore season, he averaged 20 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, leading to several prestigious awards, including the National College Player of the Year and the Karl Malone Award.
Professional Career: Toppin declared for the 2020 NBA Draft and was selected by the New York Knicks with the eighth overall pick. He played three seasons with the Knicks, notably winning the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 2022. In July 2023, Toppin was traded to the Indiana Pacers, where he signed a four-year, $60 million contract extension in June 2024.
Recent Performance: On February 13, 2025, Toppin delivered a standout performance, scoring 31 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in an overtime victory against the Washington Wizards.
However, he briefly exited a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 27, 2024, due to a left ankle sprain but returned later in the game.
Trade Rumors: As of January 2025, there have been trade rumors linking Toppin to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Grayson Allen. This potential move aims to address the Suns’ need for a power forward and provide the Pacers with additional shooting support.