Obi Toppin

Obi Toppin: biography

Obi Toppin, an American professional basketball player, currently competes as a power forward for the Indiana Pacers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Prior to his NBA career, Toppin played college basketball for the Dayton Flyers, showcasing his skills and potential at the collegiate level.

Childhood and youth

Obi Toppin, whose full name is Obadiah Richard Toppin Jr., was born on March 4, 1998, in Brooklyn, New York, had a childhood and youth shaped by his love for basketball. Growing up in a basketball family, with his father, Obadiah Toppin Sr., having played streetball and his mother, Roni, having played college basketball, Toppin was exposed to the sport from an early age.

Obi Toppin, originally from the neighborhood of Bushwick, had a diverse upbringing that took him from Melbourne, Florida to Ossining, New York. As a freshman, he attended Heritage High School in Palm Bay before transferring to Melbourne Central Catholic High School the following year. However, Toppin and his family eventually relocated to Ossining, New York, where he enrolled at Ossining High School as he entered his junior year. This move marked a pivotal point in his basketball journey, as he continued his development and honed his skills at Ossining High School.

During his senior year at Ossining High School, Obi Toppin showcased his skills, averaging an impressive 20.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals per game. He led the team to its first conference title in a decade. Despite not receiving any NCAA Division I offers, Toppin decided to attend Mt. Zion Preparatory School in Baltimore, Maryland, for a postgraduate year. There, he continued to excel, averaging 17 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, while also experiencing a growth spurt that took him to 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 meters). Ultimately, Toppin committed to playing college basketball for the University of Dayton, choosing the Flyers over offers from schools such as Rhode Island, Georgetown, Georgia, Texas A&M, Minnesota, and Texas Tech.

After being ruled academically ineligible to play during his true freshman season, Obi Toppin redshirted. In his redshirt freshman year, he led the Dayton Flyers with 14.4 points per game, earning the Atlantic 10 Conference Rookie of the Year award and a spot on the first team All-Atlantic 10. He declared for the 2019 NBA draft but decided to return to Dayton.

In his redshirt sophomore season, Toppin received preseason honors and was named to watch lists for several prestigious awards. He had impressive performances throughout the season, including leading Dayton to a second-place finish in the Maui Invitational Tournament. Toppin scored a career-high 31 points in a game against North Florida and surpassed 1,000 career points during the regular season. He received numerous accolades, including being named a consensus first team All-American and winning the Karl Malone Award, AP College Basketball Player of the Year, NABC Player of the Year, Naismith College Player of the Year, Oscar Robertson Trophy, and John R. Wooden Award.

After an outstanding season, Toppin announced his decision to forgo his final two years of college eligibility and enter the 2020 NBA draft. He left a significant impact at Dayton, finishing his college career with 1,096 points and a school-record 190 dunks.

Basketball career

Obi Toppin's basketball career has been marked by his incredible athleticism, scoring ability, and versatility on the court. After an impressive college career, he entered the NBA and joined the New York Knicks.

Obi Toppin was selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft by the New York Knicks on November 18, 2020. He signed his rookie scale contract with the Knicks on November 23. Toppin made his NBA debut on December 23, 2020, and contributed nine points, three rebounds, and two blocks in 24 minutes. He missed 10 games due to an injury sustained in his debut but returned on January 13, 2021.

During his rookie season, Toppin was invited to participate in the 2021 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, finishing in second place. In his sophomore year, he won the 2022 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, defeating Juan Toscano-Anderson in the final round. Toppin had standout performances, including scoring a career-high 35 points in a win over the Washington Wizards on April 8, 2022. He surpassed this record just two days later, scoring a career-high 42 points in a victory over the Toronto Raptors on April 10, 2022.

On July 7, 2023, Obi Toppin was traded from the New York Knicks to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for two future second-round picks. This trade marked a new chapter in Toppin's NBA career as he joined the Pacers' roster.

Personal life

Obi Toppin is currently in a relationship with Magdalena Bellinger, a talented American woman. While the exact start date of their relationship remains unknown, they made their affair public in 2020. Magdalena is recognized as one of the top soccer players from Virginia, showcasing her skills on the field.

The couple is happily together and has been blessed with two children named Daniel and Remiel Alise Toppin. Their love for each other and their growing family adds another dimension to Toppin's personal life, alongside his successful basketball career.

Accomplishments and achievements

Here is a list of some of Obi Toppin's notable achievements and accomplishments:

• First-team All-Atlantic 10 (2019)
• Atlantic 10 Player of the Year (2020)
• Consensus first-team All-American (2020)
• Karl Malone Award (2020)
• National college player of the year (2020)
• NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (2022)