Obi Toppin headed to Indiana Pacers after trade with New York Knicks. 5 things to know.

IndyStar Sports
·2 min read
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Obi Toppin will be the next member of the Indiana Pacers, according to a report from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Wojnarowski reported the Pacers are nearing a deal with the New York Knicks that would acquire him for two future second-round picks. The deal cannot be finished until Thursday.

Toppin, a 6-9, 220-pound power forward is the latest move by the Indiana front office after Bruce Brown agreed to a two-year contract on Friday. The Pacers also gave Tyrese Haliburton a $260 million max extension that makes him the highest-paid Pacers player ever.

Toppin, the No. 8 pick in the 2020 draft, was stuck behind Julius Randle in New York and didn't play much. But that could change with the Pacers.

Here is what you should know about Toppin:

Obi Toppin played college ball at Dayton

Power forward Obi Toppin and the University of Dayton were poised to make even more of a national name for themselves during the NCAA tournament. Now, nothing after March Madness was canceled because of coronavirus.
Power forward Obi Toppin and the University of Dayton were poised to make even more of a national name for themselves during the NCAA tournament. Now, nothing after March Madness was canceled because of coronavirus.

At Dayton, Toppin redshirted his true freshman season after being ruled academically ineligible. The following two seasons were considered a significant success for the New York native as he was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year in 2019 and conference player of the year in 2020.

During his final season at Dayton, Toppin was a consensus first-team All-American selection, won the Karl Malone Award as the nation's top power forward and was the consensus National Player of the Year.

Obi Toppin stats

In three regular seasons with the Knicks, Toppin averaged 7 points per game, 3 rebounds and shot 49% from the floor. Toppin played in 201 games during that span but started just 15 of those.

He has played in 16 playoff games and put similar numbers with 6.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and shot 45% from the floor.

NBA free agency: After signing Bruce Brown, what's next for Pacers?

Obi Toppin won the 2022 NBA Slam Dunk Contest

Toppin has competed in the Slam Dunk Contest on two occasions and won it all in 2022. The year before, he was the runner-up.

Obi Toppin's brother Jacob is also in the NBA

Jacob Toppin, 23, played a season with Rhode Island before transferring to Kentucky. He wasn't drafted this past June, but Toppin signed a two-way contract with the Knicks.

Obi Toppin highlights with the New York Knicks

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers trade with Knicks: What to know about power forward Obi Toppin

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