If you are a fan of college basketball or the NBA, you might have heard of the names Jacob Toppin and Obi Toppin. But are they related? And how did they become successful basketball players? In this article, we will answer these questions and more.
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Jacob and Obi are brothers
Yes, Jacob Toppin and Obi Toppin are brothers. They share the same father, Obadiah Toppin, who was a streetball legend in New York City. Jacob is the younger brother of Obi, who is currently playing for the New York Knicks after being drafted in the first round of the 2020 NBA draft.
Jacob followed Obi’s footsteps in college basketball
Both Jacob and Obi were lightly recruited out of high school, but they proved themselves as talented and athletic players in college. Obi played for Dayton and won the Naismith Award and several other national player of the year honors in 2020. He led the Flyers to a 29-2 record and a potential No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament before it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jacob played for Rhode Island as a freshman in 2019-20, averaging 5.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. He faced his brother twice in the Atlantic 10 conference, losing both times. After the season, he decided to transfer to Kentucky, where he joined one of the most prestigious programs in college basketball.
Jacob has shown his potential at Kentucky
At Kentucky, Jacob has emerged as one of the most energetic and athletic players on the roster. He has shown his elite dunking ability, including a 360-degree slam against Auburn that went viral. He has also improved his defense, rebounding, and shooting. He averaged 5.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in 2020-21, helping the Wildcats win the SEC tournament.
Jacob has also matured as a person and a player, learning to harness his energy and focus on his goals. He has said that he looks up to his brother Obi and hopes to join him in the NBA someday. Obi has also predicted that Jacob will make it to the league, saying that he has more potential than him.
Jacob and Obi are proud of each other
Despite being on different teams and levels, Jacob and Obi have maintained a close bond as brothers. They support each other and celebrate each other’s achievements. They also challenge each other and motivate each other to get better.
Jacob has said that he watches his brother’s games whenever he can and texts him after every game. He has also said that he is proud of his brother for making it to the NBA and representing their family name. Obi has said that he is proud of his brother for transferring to Kentucky and playing well there. He has also said that he loves his brother and wants him to succeed.
Conclusion
Jacob Toppin and Obi Toppin are brothers who have both excelled in basketball. They have followed similar paths from being under-the-radar prospects to becoming stars in college basketball. They have also shown their love and respect for each other as siblings. They are both examples of hard work, dedication, and talent in the sport.
