
<p>Back in the spring, <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jacob-toppin-52269/">Jacob Toppin</a> snuck away from the Kentucky Basketball program to see how he fit in as an NBA prospect in the 2022 draft class. In early April, Toppin declared for the draft to test the waters but maintained his college eligibility by returning to school ahead of the June 1 deadline. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/jacob-toppin-kentucky-comeback-plan-obi-toppin/">The decision to return to Kentucky was the plan all along,</a> Toppin admitted Thursday during a press conference in Lexington. “I knew I wasn’t ready,” he explained. “I’m a person who was gonna go at my own pace. I’m not going to force anything.”</p>



<p>Also from that conversation, the bouncy, 6-foot-9 forward revealed some of the advice he received during the NBA experience and what he is doing to improve ahead of his senior year of college basketball at Kentucky.</p>



<p>“They told me I need to get bigger, stronger,” Toppin said of the NBA feedback. “I need to get more consistent at shooting the ball. Those were the three main factors that they told me.”</p>



<p>The plan to get bigger and stronger is already going well as Toppin has added five to ten pounds since the end of last season. He is keeping a close eye on his weight this summer through a new diet implemented by the team’s new strength and conditioning coach, Brady Welsh.</p>



<p>“He’s been good for us,” said Toppin. “He’s been on me a lot about eating the right stuff, not just eating a lot of food but eating the right stuff and it’s helped a lot. I feel healthier, I feel better, I feel stronger.”</p>



<p>The new diet is mostly protein and good carbs, a lot of water, and no junk food whatsoever. In the past, things like potato chips and candy were routine in Toppin’s diet. He has replaced those with peanut butter sandwiches and bananas.</p>



<p>But still the occasional Starburst when no one is looking. They’re his favorite.</p>



<h2 id="h-a-new-offensive-threat">A new offensive threat</h2>



<p>On the court, Toppin is preparing to take on a much bigger role for Kentucky Basketball, almost certainly in Keion Brooks’ old role as the full-time starting forward. With the promotion comes new responsibility, the most important being to stretch the floor with an outside game.</p>



<p>“My role last season and the other season was mostly like play defense, be a defensive disruption, make open shots from the two, dribble-pull-ups, get rebounds, be a hustle player–and none of that’s went away. I’m still going to be that person,” Toppin said.</p>



<p>“Now I’m gonna be an offensive threat to space the floor at the four spot, so I’m just developing my game and just elevating.”</p>



<p>Toppin also said he has made great strides on his jump shot because it’s where the game is going. Hear all he had to say below.</p>



<h2 id="h-toppin-on-diet-new-role-and-more">Toppin on diet, new role, and more</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<span class="34EIm"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Jacob Toppin on diet and progress before senior season" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b9WKkXbrqNc?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></span>
</div></figure>


KSR Basketball

New year, new Toppin: UK forward is dieting and working on his jumper

Kentucky took care of business last week at home, beating Texas and Ole Miss to extend its winning streak to five games. Now, it's time to head on

kentucky-ncaa-tournament-resume-quad-1-road-trips-vanderbilt-arkansas

NCAA Tournament Resume: Two Quad 1 Road Trips for Kentucky

A winter storm that swept across the Bluegrass State over the weekend led to plenty of game cancellations, but it was a busy week in the world of

KHSAA basketball - Les Nicholson, Kentucky Sports Radio

KSR Preps

KSR's 2025-26 Kentucky High School Boys Basketball Top 25 Rankings: Week 8

There are many different ways to social media. The initial strategy for professional accounts was to play it straight. After all, they're

LMPD roasted people who got stuck in the winter storm, via Jeff Faughender:Courier Journal : USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

KSR Around Kentucky

LMPD Twitter Account Cooks During the Kentucky Snowstorm

We have our winner of KSR's first Meteorologist Madness weather challenge.  While official snowfall measurements are still being finalized, one thing

meteorologist-madness-winner

Meteorologist Madness: And the winner is...

KSR will broadcast live from everyone's respective homes today. The crew is snowed in, much like the rest of the state, so they're working from home

ksr-show-thread

KSR Show, 1/26: Live from home to recap UK-Ole Miss and Meteorologist Madness

Good morning, Big Blue Nation. I hope everyone is safe out there and staying home out of the elements. The weekend may not have brought the

Jo Ann Ford, 65, digs out her minivan on 35th Street in Louisville, Kentucky after the multi-state Winter Storm Fern dropped several inches of snow in the metro area Sunday, January 25, 2026.  (Matt Stone/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)


kentucky-jacket-snow-shovel

KSR Today: Snow Day in the Bluegrass, SEC Road Swing Ahead

If I were to tell you that Kentucky ranks 4th in the entire country in an offensive category, you might think me mad and ripe for the loony house. I

Texas vs Kentucky on 1/21/2026 - Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio/On3

Kentucky continues to dominate opponents in fast-break scoring

Kentucky's 72-63 win over Ole Miss wasn't pretty. In fact, it was quite the opposite. That first half was especially hard to watch, even if Mark Pope

Mississippi vs Kentucky on 1/24/2026 - Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio/On3

collin-chandler-ole-miss

Kentucky is getting good at finishing close games

"If you're not willing to risk your life to watch the Cats play, are you even a fan?" That's how Steven Peake began his quest from Louisville to

Kentucky vs Ole Miss, KSR Road Trip

Go Inside Rupp Arena During the Snow Day Kentucky Win over Ole Miss

End-of-the-year NBA awards almost always feature a former Kentucky Wildcat, and this season will likely be no different. While Shai

keldon-johnson-reed-sheppard-among-favorites-to-win-nba-6th-man-of-the-year-award

KSR Cats in the NBA

Keldon Johnson and Reed Sheppard among favorites to win NBA 6th Man of the Year

You never know when they're coming, but Jasper Johnson's red-hot scoring runs always come at the most convenient times for Kentucky and bring the

619664047_1411353287703252_1503212348487792278_n

Otega Oweh is proud of his 'son' Jasper Johnson: 'He could do that with his eyes closed.'

For nearly a decade, there was a constant in the Kentucky football program: quality linebacker play. The Wildcats needed to re-establish that

ut_vs_arkansas-2915_barnes

KSR Football

Kentucky has Talented, Inexperienced Linebacker Group

Kentucky and Ole Miss engaged in a slobber-knocker on Saturday. The early tip-time may have helped set the tone early, yet the Cats still did enough

Kentucky SG Otega Oweh defends against Ole Miss at Rupp Arena, via Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

Is this the worst call in the history of college basketball?

Sometimes you have to win ugly. Saturday's basketball game between the Kentucky Wildcats and Ole Miss Rebels won't win any awards. Neither team shot

film-room-breakdown-kentucky-grinds-out-a-72-63-win-over-the-ole-miss-rebels

Film Room Breakdown: Kentucky Grinds Out a 72-63 Win Over the Ole Miss Rebels

The Boston Celtics did not have high expectations entering this season. Jayson Tatum was recovering from an Achilles injury and new ownership shed

Jan 23, 2026; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Boston Celtics forward Amari Williams (77) celebrates with teammates after defeating the Brooklyn Nets in double overtime at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Amari Williams saves Boston Celtics in overtime road win

The Kentucky Wildcats had two orders of business today: defeat Ole Miss to extend their winning streak to five games, then get home and ride out the

texas-377161

KSR's top takeaways from Kentucky's Snowmageddon win over Ole Miss

Like jumping into a pool off the high-dive, Deone Walker made a big splash during his first season of professional football.   The former Kentucky

Former Cat Deone Walker stalks Joe Burrow in the Buffalo snow, via Sam Greene:The Enquirer : USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Former Wildcat Deone Walker Earns All-Rookie Honors

Kentucky has high expectations entering the 2026 college baseball season. The Bat Cats are fresh off three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances

Nick-Mingione-reflects-whether-2025-has-been-rebuilding-year

KSR Baseball

Nick Mingione has 'team that loves Kentucky' in 2026

To say this has been an interesting offseason for the Governor's Cup rivalry would be putting it lightly. Multiple players and staff members have

L's down

KSR Football Recruiting

Kentucky target Braylon Lane is embracing the Governor's Cup rivalry

The biggest story in college basketball this week surrounded G League veteran Charles Bediako returning to Alabama after being granted a temporary

Jan 24, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama center Charles Bediako (14) reaches out to grab a rebound against Tennessee forward Dewayne Brown II (6) at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News

KSR Around the SEC

Tennessee trolls Charles Bediako with social media post after beating Alabama

Saturday was scheduled to be the second big junior day recruiting even for Will Stein's Kentucky football program. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had

Jamar Thompson

Top-100 recruit Jamar Thompson visits Kentucky

The last Sunday in January has arrived. A huge winter storm is hitting the Bluegrass that everyone across the state is riding out. Before that storm

texas-377341

KSR Today: Kentucky's winning streak continues as SEC race opens up

As things stand through seven SEC contests with 11 more to go in the regular season, Kentucky is on pace to earn a double bye in Nashville -- wild,

A Wilson Evo NXT ball at the SEC Tournament - Photo by Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio

Kentucky is tied for second in the SEC following a wild night of results in the league

When Teonni Key went down with a dislocated right elbow against Missouri on Jan. 4, it was immediately clear that she would be out for multiple weeks

signs-currently-pointing-teonni-key-making-return-sooner-rather-later

KSR Women's Basketball

Kenny Brooks says 'there is optimism' regarding Teonni Key's recovery process

Kentucky's offensive performance against Ole Miss was far from pretty, but there won't be many complaints about the Wildcats' efforts on the

Mo Dioubate defending an Ole Miss player - Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio

New year, new Toppin: UK forward is dieting and working on his jumper

Discuss This Article

LMPD Twitter Account Cooks During the Kentucky Snowstorm

Meteorologist Madness: And the winner is...

KSR Show, 1/26: Live from home to recap UK-Ole Miss and Meteorologist Madness

KSR Today: Snow Day in the Bluegrass, SEC Road Swing Ahead

Kentucky continues to dominate opponents in fast-break scoring

Kentucky is getting good at finishing close games

Go Inside Rupp Arena During the Snow Day Kentucky Win over Ole Miss

Keldon Johnson and Reed Sheppard among favorites to win NBA 6th Man of the Year

UK 72, Ole Miss 63

SEC standings

Collin Chandler

Close Games

'They just tased Ryan'