Jacob Toppin promises he will enter 'legendary status' during 2024 NBA Dunk Contest
Two years ago, Obi Toppin won the NBA Dunk Contest while playing for the New York Knicks. He was in his second year in the league at the time, and he beat out three others to win the competition ahead of the All-Star Game.
Saturday night, his brother Jacob Toppin will try to join him in that company – and he has big plans.
“I definitely have something planned that’s going to put me in legendary status,” Toppin said.
Toppin signed with the Knicks after going undrafted out of Kentucky following the 2023 NBA Draft, and New York converted his contract into a two-way deal to get him some experience with the big club. That means he’s splitting time with the Westchester Knicks of the NBA G-League, but he’s in Indianapolis for the NBA All-Star Saturday Night festivities.
In the dunk contest, Toppin will go up against Jaylen Brown, Mac McClung and Jaime Jaquez. McClung is looking to repeat as champion after bringing home the trophy last year, while Brown is hoping to become the first All-Star to win it since John Wall in 2014.
If Jacob Toppin wins, though, he’d join his brother as champions – and he’d do it in Obi’s town, as he’s now with the Pacers. That, he said, would make it even more special.
“For me to win the 2024 dunk contest, it would mean a lot,” Toppin said. “Having two brothers win it, I think that would be a first.”
Toppin started his college career at Rhode Island, but entered the transfer portal and made his way to Kentucky in 2022-23. With the Wildcats, he finished third on the team with 12.4 points per game to go with 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 steals on average.
Since taking his skills to the next level, Toppin has found his stride in Westchester. In 13 games this year, he’s averaging 21.9 points and 8.7 rebounds, and he made his NBA debut in December. All told, Toppin has appeared in five games for the Knicks and turned in the biggest game of his young career earlier this week. He poured in 11 points as New York fell to the Orlando Magic Wednesday night.
The Dunk Contest is the latest event in NBA All-Star Weekend. On Friday, the Celebrity All-Star Game and Rising Stars Challenge took place, and Saturday features the Skills Challenge, as well. Toppin and the rest of the Dunk Contest participants will begin their event at 8 p.m. ET.