Jacob Toppin Bio
Jacob Toppin is an American professional basketball player born on May 8, 2000, in Brooklyn, New York. Standing 6 feet 9 inches tall and listed at 200 pounds, Toppin plays the small forward position and is recognized for his collegiate career with the Rhode Island Rams and the Kentucky Wildcats. He entered the National Basketball Association (NBA) after going undrafted in the 2023 NBA draft and most recently played for the Atlanta Hawks on a two-way contract. Toppin is also known as the younger brother of Obi Toppin, who is himself an established NBA player.
Early Life and Background
Jacob Toppin was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, where he first developed an interest in basketball. Growing up in a household with athletic roots, he was introduced to the sport at a young age and quickly gravitated toward competitive play. His older brother Obi, who would later become an NBA player, served as one of his earliest influences and helped shape his understanding of the game.
Toppin attended Ossining High School in Ossining, New York, where he competed in basketball, football, and volleyball. As a senior, he averaged 15.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, earning All-Selection honors for his performance on the court. Despite these accomplishments, Toppin was not heavily recruited at the Division I level and ultimately chose to continue his career at Rhode Island.
Path to Basketball
Toppin’s journey to collegiate basketball began with his commitment to the Rhode Island Rams, where he joined the program as a freshman. Although he was not a heavily recruited prospect, his work ethic and physical tools earned him a spot in the rotation, and he averaged 5.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per game during his freshman season. The experience gave him a foundation that he would build on at a higher level of competition.
Following his freshman year, Toppin transferred to the University of Kentucky to compete in the Southeastern Conference. He spent three seasons with the Kentucky Wildcats, gradually expanding his role on the team. As a sophomore, he averaged 5.2 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, and as a junior, he posted 6.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per contest. His senior season marked his clearest breakout, as he averaged 12.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, demonstrating the all-around skill set that would eventually attract NBA attention.
Jacob Toppin Career
Early Career (2023–2024)
After declaring for the 2023 NBA draft and going undrafted, Jacob Toppin signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the New York Knicks on July 6, 2023. The organization converted his deal into a two-way contract on October 22, 2023, giving him an opportunity to split time between the NBA roster and the G League affiliate. On December 5, 2023, Toppin made his NBA debut against the Milwaukee Bucks in a 146–122 loss, marking the first official NBA appearance of his professional career.
In February 2024, Toppin signed a 10-day contract with the Knicks and later signed another two-way deal on March 4, 2024. He spent time developing with the Westchester Knicks in the NBA G League, where he contributed to team efforts and continued refining his game. On August 14, 2024, the Knicks signed him to another two-way contract, signaling continued organizational interest in his development.
Westchester Knicks Era (2023–2025)
Toppin’s longest stretch of professional play came with the Westchester Knicks, the New York Knicks’ G League affiliate, where he spent the bulk of the 2023–2024 and 2024–2025 seasons. He became a notable contributor for the Westchester roster and was part of the team’s success in the G League Winter Showcase, winning the event in both 2023 and 2024. These accomplishments highlighted his potential and helped him earn repeated two-way opportunities with the parent club.
On March 2, 2025, the Knicks waived Toppin, ending his tenure with the organization. During his time with Westchester, he established himself as a versatile forward capable of contributing on both ends of the floor. His performances in the G League gave him consistent playing time and helped bridge his transition from college basketball to the professional ranks.
Atlanta Hawks Era (2025)
On March 4, 2025, Toppin signed a two-way contract with the Atlanta Hawks, joining their G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks. His first appearance for Atlanta came in the team’s season finale against the Orlando Magic, where he recorded an impressive 17 points, four rebounds, and two assists, offering a glimpse of his offensive capabilities at the NBA level.
On July 10, 2025, Toppin re-signed with the Hawks on a new two-way contract. He went on to make five appearances for Atlanta during the 2025–2026 season, averaging 1.6 points, 0.2 rebounds, and 0.2 assists per game. On December 8, 2025, the Hawks announced that Toppin would miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He was subsequently waived by Atlanta on December 15.
Driving Style and Strengths
Toppin’s game is built around his versatility as a forward, with the ability to contribute as a rebounder, scorer, and playmaker at 6 feet 9 inches. He shows comfort operating from the perimeter and in transition, and his senior season at Kentucky highlighted his capacity to handle playmaking responsibilities in addition to scoring. His willingness to compete on both ends of the floor has been a defining trait throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the signature moments of Toppin’s professional career came in his Atlanta Hawks debut during the 2024–2025 season finale, when he scored 17 points against the Orlando Magic. He also earned back-to-back NBA G League Winter Showcase championships with the Westchester Knicks in 2023 and 2024. His senior season at Kentucky, in which he averaged 12.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, stands as his most prominent collegiate milestone.
Jacob Toppin Career Wins
Jacob Toppin’s competitive record is anchored by his NBA G League Winter Showcase championships in 2023 and 2024 with the Westchester Knicks. His college career included steady statistical growth across four seasons at Rhode Island and Kentucky, and his professional appearances have included both NBA and G League contributions.
NBA G League Highlights
Toppin contributed to the Westchester Knicks during their successful runs in 2023 and 2024, including back-to-back NBA G League Winter Showcase titles. He also appeared for the College Park Skyhawks during the 2024–2025 season as part of his two-way deal with Atlanta.
Other Wins & Performances
Toppin earned All-Selection honors during his senior year at Ossining High School, capping a strong prep career that also included football and volleyball. His senior season at Kentucky, where he averaged 12.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, served as a defining collegiate performance that set the stage for his professional opportunity.
Jacob Toppin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jacob Toppin was raised in Brooklyn, New York, in an athletic family with deep ties to basketball. His older brother, Obi Toppin, is also a professional NBA player, making the Toppin brothers one of the more recognized sibling pairs in modern basketball. This family connection to the sport helped shape Jacob’s early development and understanding of the game at a high level.
Personal Life
Beyond his basketball career, Toppin’s most notable personal connection is his relationship with his brother Obi, who has served as both a mentor and inspiration throughout his journey. The two have both competed at the highest levels of college and professional basketball, reinforcing the family’s strong athletic identity.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year was eventful for Jacob Toppin, beginning with his signing of a two-way contract with the Atlanta Hawks on March 4, 2025, after being waived by the New York Knicks two days earlier. He made his lone NBA appearance of the 2024–2025 season in the finale against the Orlando Magic, producing a strong 17-point, four-rebound, two-assist line that suggested his readiness for a larger role going forward. On July 10, 2025, he re-signed with Atlanta on a fresh two-way deal, reinforcing the organization’s belief in his development.
During the early portion of the 2025–2026 NBA season, Toppin appeared in five games for Atlanta, averaging 1.6 points, 0.2 rebounds, and 0.2 assists per contest. On December 8, 2025, the Hawks announced that Toppin would miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He was waived by Atlanta on December 15, closing a difficult but developmental chapter of his career.
Looking ahead, Toppin remains a young, versatile forward with G League experience and NBA playing time on his resume. His combination of size, basketball pedigree, and continued professional development positions him as a candidate for future opportunities, whether through another two-way contract or a potential return to the G League ranks.