Obi Toppin: Brooklyn boy turned top NBA prospect
DAYTON, Ohio (BVM) — Twenty-two years later, Obi Toppin has returned to the Big Apple for the start of a new chapter. Although born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Toppin will not play for the Brooklyn Nets, but ironically their rival, the New York Knicks.
On Nov. 18, 2020, Toppin learned he would become a part of the Knicks’ program. Being the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Toppin could not help but allow a few tears of joy and gratitude.
𝐈'𝐦 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐫𝐤, 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭.
– Obi Toppin (@obitoppin1) pic.twitter.com/SikR3xKyXp
— Dayton Basketball (@DaytonMBB) November 19, 2020
Although 2020 was a year of hardships, it was apparent Toppin was ready for the start of a new era.
Toppin’s journey to the NBA was filled with obstacles as well as upsets. As a high schooler, Toppin moved around the East Coast more than one would know. Toppin first enrolled at Heritage High School in Palm Beach, Fla., but quickly transferred to Melbourne Central Catholic High School in Melbourne, Fla.
Toppin’s career at Melbourne only lasted a year, as he and his family moved back up to New York. Enrolling in Ossining High School, Toppin played basketball there until graduation, yet was a late bloomer in regards to his talent.
After graduating from Ossining, Toppin did not have any college offers. Competing at the collegiate level was one of Toppin’s dreams, so he made the ultimate decision to enroll at Mount Zion Preparatory in Baltimore, Md. Building his resume and allowing himself for more experience was initially the plan, in hopes colleges would soon realize the Brooklyn native.
Toppin ended up growing four inches from his time at Ossining to his journey at Mount Zion. It was only a matter of time before colleges were knocking at his door.
Schools as big as Georgia and Rhode Island were posting their interest in the 6-foot-9 basketball star. Although Toppin took many college visits, there was one college that caught the eye in a unique way.
In 2014, a small school in Ohio gained national attention when their basketball team made it to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament. Ironically, that small school was the one Toppin committed to in 2017. Best known as the University of Dayton, Flyer fans everywhere were eager about the news of Toppin, as many were ready for an Elite Eight repeat.
Due to academic reasons, Toppin sat out his true freshman season at Dayton. Although this was a letdown, there was much to come, and Toppin, as well as “Flyer Nation”, learned to be patient.
As a redshirt freshman, Toppin averaged 14.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. The rise of the Brooklyn native was becoming apparent, yet the Flyers still were knocked out of the NCAA Tournament very early on in 2019.
Toppin’s name truly spread throughout the country in late 2019 and early 2020. Toppin began breaking Dayton records and dunking in ways that got a crowd on their feet immediately. It was not soon before he was earning awards such as National Player of the Week by NBC Sports, and Midseason Player of the Year by The Athletic.
Toppin reached a career mark of 1,000 points on Feb. 22, 2020, just a week or so before the anticipated beginning of March Madness.
Entering into March, Toppin had led the Dayton Flyers to No. 3 in the country. The “Obi Toppin Era” was at its prime, as he was averaging 20 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. This was the chance for Toppin to prove his dominance in the league, as well as create a legacy at Dayton.
Unfortunately, those dreams and opportunities were crushed by the wrath of the pandemic as the NCAA canceled the men’s basketball tournament on March 13, 2020.
Although Toppin’s journey at Dayton ended bittersweet, many understand just how special this young man’s talent is. His story has just begun, as there are many chapters that are yet to be written in this incredible journey to greatness.
