Jacob Toppin is growing up right in front of Kentucky's eyes

All signs throughout the offseason have pointed to a breakout year for Kentucky men’s basketball senior forward Jacob Toppin. A 6-foot-9, 205-pound freak athlete, Toppin possesses plenty of intangibles and will garner enough minutes that his production should balloon heading into the 2022-23 season. He averaged 6.2 points and 3.2 rebounds last season. What’s in store this time around?

Toppin’s hot shooting in the Bahamas (8-15 from 3-point range across four games) showcased a brand-new weapon that will significantly help his NBA Draft stock if it holds true. He’s also in the best shape of his life and is exuding endless confidence. And, of course, he can still dunk over anyone.

But none of this preseason buzz would have been possible if he didn’t decide it was about time he act his age.

“He went from being like 13 (years old) to he’s about 16,” Kentucky head coach John Calipari said at Media Day on Tuesday. “But he is in the gym. He’s become the gym rat. And every time I’ve had the guy like that, that guy breaks through.“

Toppin, who turned 22 in May, is taking basketball more seriously than ever. He’s always been a goofy kid who enjoys having fun, but it’s no secret he’s been ribbed by his coaches for a lack of maturity early in his college career. Toppin’s Kentucky teammate, Lance Ware, jokingly said last week that he first came to UK with the mind of an eight-year-old.

Things sure have changed over the last two seasons.

Toppin’s improved maturity and added leadership are important subplots for the future of this season’s Kentucky team, but it’s equally as important for him to reach his potential at the next level. No one wants to see a special talent fall short and turn into a “what could have been” story. Toppin, after some self-reflection, quickly realized he didn’t want to see that book written.

“You can say (my talent) would kinda be a waste if I stayed that little kid and not really locked in because I wouldn’t have reached my full potential,” Toppin said at Media Day. “But obviously, I’ve gotten better and I’m more mature now, so I’m definitely seeking to reach that max potential.

“I’ve had my moments where I needed to understand how far I’m gonna get in life if I’m not mature. So I definitely had a step back where I was really talking to myself and my mom about what I need to do, because maturity is a big thing, not just in life but in this sport. Just having that discipline to become better, it’s helped me a lot.”

Toppin has worked hard in order to develop that discipline, and it’s paying off quickly. As Calipari mentioned, Toppin is constantly in the gym now. He’s been leading the team in shots taken per week outside of practice. He’s focused on being able to step back and confidently knock down outside jumpers, which will help spread the floor for his teammates and open up space inside the paint for the likes of Oscar Tshiebwe.

“I think it’s gonna be a big part of my game because that’s what I lacked last year and it didn’t really help the offense that guys were sagging off on me,” Toppin said of his outside shooting. “So now it’s gonna be really hard for guys to sag off on me because I plan on making shots but obviously I’m still going to be that person who drives downhill, who tries to play through contact and all of that.”

Toppin added there are times he reverts back to his old ways — the “kid” of the team, he self-admits — but he feels revitalized as the new, mature veteran presence. In reality, it was necessary, especially if he wants to make that leap to the NBA.

“It’s about discipline, everything is about discipline,” Toppin added. “I’ve been able to lock in on that and it’s been able to help me on and off the court.”