Last Updated on July 24, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Obi Toppin is known for bringing energy and athleticism to the court, often exciting fans with his highlight-reel dunks and ability to run in transition. As his game has matured, he has expanded his skill set beyond finishing at the rim, developing into a more complete offensive player who can contribute in a variety of ways.

Here’s detailed information about Obi Toppin:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Obadiah Richard Toppin Jr.
  • Nickname: Obi.
  • Nationality: American.
  • Date of Birth: March 4, 1998.
  • Hometown: Brooklyn, New York, United States. (Wikipedia)
  • Height: 6’9″ (2.06 m).
  • Weight: 220 lbs (100 kg).
  • Wingspan: 7’2″. (NBADraft)
  • Shoe Size: —
  • Jersey Number: #1 — Dayton Flyers, New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers.
  • Position: Power Forward / Forward.
  • High School: Heritage High School (Palm Bay, Florida); Melbourne Central Catholic (Melbourne, Florida); Ossining High School (Ossining, New York); Mt. Zion Prep (Baltimore, Maryland, postgraduate year). (Wikipedia)
  • College: Dayton (2018–2020).
  • NBA Draft: New York Knicks, 2020, Round 1, Pick 8.
  • Teams Played For:
    • New York Knicks (2020–2023)
    • Indiana Pacers (2023–present)
  • Championship Rings: 0.
  • Parents: Obadiah Toppin Sr. and Roni Toppin. (NBA)
  • Children: Remi Toppin. (Facebook)
  • Siblings: Jacob Toppin. (NBA)
  • Athlete Relatives: Obadiah Toppin Sr. (father; former streetball and professional/semi-pro player), Jacob Toppin (brother; pro basketball player). (New York Post)

Player Archetype / Play Style

Obi Toppin’s player archetype is that of an explosive transition-scoring forward, the kind of athletic frontcourt finisher who puts pressure on defenses with speed, vertical pop, and easy offense around the rim. Defensively, he is better cast as an active team defender than a true stopper, using his mobility to rotate, contest, and cover space while still not being a classic interior anchor. Offensively, his role is built around rim running, cutting, finishing lobs, attacking open lanes, and spacing the floor enough to keep defenses honest rather than operating as a self-creating hub. Physically, his 6’9″ frame, 220-pound build, and long wingspan support a game that plays above the rim and thrives in space. Put together, his play style is defined by pace, energy, transition scoring, and highlight-level finishing, which is why he looks most dangerous when the game opens up and he can attack quickly instead of grinding through half-court creation. (NBA)

Scouting Report

Obi Toppin is most dangerous when the game speeds up because few forwards cover ground from rim to rim as effortlessly. The first thing you notice is how quickly he turns defense into offense, sprinting the lanes before bigger defenders have even crossed half court and forcing someone to account for him at the rim. In the half court, his value comes from constant movement. He slips screens at the right moment, cuts behind defenders who get caught watching the ball and times his dives so the pass arrives just as the help defender has to choose between protecting the basket or giving up an open shooter. He isn’t someone who wants to pound the ball into the floor creating offense in isolation, and that’s where the trade-off lies. His handle is functional enough to attack a rotating defense, but asking him to break down a set defender possession after possession takes him away from the things that make him effective. Defensively, he’s better when he’s reacting aggressively than when he’s asked to think through complex actions. He can rotate from the weak side to challenge at the rim, switch onto wings for short stretches and use his length to contest shots, but his awareness can drift during multi-action possessions, particularly when offenses force him to process several off-ball exchanges in quick succession. To me, his ideal role is as an athletic finisher alongside a high-level pick-and-roll creator who rewards his rim runs and keeps him involved as a cutter rather than a primary initiator. That’s where his energy translates into efficient offense instead of difficult shot creation. I’ve always thought there are elements of Amar’e Stoudemire in the way he explodes into open space, although without the same polished self-creation, while parts of his transition game resemble Shawn Marion because of how instinctively he turns movement and timing into easy points rather than relying on isolation scoring.

Fun Facts

  • He gained national recognition during his sophomore season at Dayton, where he led the team to a 29-2 record before the 2020 NCAA Tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sources:
NBA.com — Obi Toppin | Forward | Indiana Pacers
NBA.com — Obi Toppin Bio
NBA.com — 2020 NBA Draft results: Picks 1-60
University of Dayton Athletics — Obi Toppin – 2019-20 Men’s Basketball Roster
University of Dayton Athletics — Obi Toppin (2026) – Hall of Fame
Basketball-Reference — Obi Toppin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
New York Post — Obi Toppin’s streetball legend father is his dunking inspiration
NBA.com — Pacers-Knicks Series Has Special Meaning for Toppin Family
NBA.com — Jacob Toppin Bio
The Players’ Tribune — The Next Generation
NBADraft.net — Obi Toppin