Coaches respond to Jacob Toppin's new physique, confidence, 3-point shot

From everything we’ve heard out of the Joe Craft Center this summer, Jacob Toppin is one of the stars of Kentucky’s early workouts. The springy senior from Brooklyn is now in his third season in Lexington, and after going through the NBA Draft evaluation process, has a newfound determination. In addition to working on his outside shot, Toppin spent the offseason working on his body, adding much-needed muscle and bulk to his 6’9″ 200 lbs. frame. As a result, Chin Coleman and Orlando Antigua believe you’ll see an improved post presence from Toppin to complement his trademark athleticism.

“A lot more physical and by the time we play our first game, we hope that he’s even more physical,” Coleman told reporters yesterday. “He’s put on a little weight. He’s still working on that, continuing to add strength.”

“You’re going to see Jacob being more physical, playing lower,” Antigua said. “Getting into plays off of two feet in the paint area.”

“His confidence is through the roof right now”

Even though it’s only July, there’s already a group of players going to the gym early for extra workouts. Coleman didn’t reveal all of the members of this year’s “Breakfast Club,” but did say that Toppin and freshman Chris Livingston are among them.

“The feedback he got from going through the process has kind of fueled his fire,” Coleman said of Toppin. “He’s been working so hard. He’s one of those guys you have to kind of dial back a little bit but he’s putting in the time. The confidence comes from the work. Because he’s worked so hard, his confidence is through the roof right now.”

Yesterday, Kentucky’s new strength and conditioning coach Brady Welsh shared a clip of Toppin and Lance Ware on Instagram in which you can see the results of Toppin’s extra time in the weight room:

Antigua, who works primarily with Kentucky’s big guys, is thrilled to see Toppin come into his own.

“You’re seeing a guy that is also confident in what he’s doing and understanding what he’s continuing to work on and playing at a different level confidence-wise. And physically, he’s playing lower. Jacob, because of the athlete that he is, played upright, runs upright. A lot of times, when he gets in tight spaces, you have to get lower, play lower.

“Just getting him comfortable playing through some of the contact stuff that in previous years may have thrown him off balance and him playing lower and playing off two feet allows him to absorb more contact and use the strength that he’s gained in the weight room and the confidence that he’s been putting in practice.”

“Jacob is taking on car crashes,” Coleman said of the senior’s mindset with his new frame in the lane.

Human Highlight Reel 🔥👀🎥@Jtoppin0 is on a mission this year. pic.twitter.com/jHZk6fSPd6

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) June 13, 2022

“Love the rim, like the three”

The other major piece of feedback Toppin received from NBA scouts was expanding his range. Last season, he made a total of four threes on ten attempts. While the coaching staff is eager to see Toppin show off his improved outside shot, they don’t want it to come at the expense of his other skills.

“There’s a saying that I have with the guys: love the rim, like the three,” Coleman said. “And that’s a huge discipline. That needs to be his next tattoo: love the rim, like the three.”

Coleman likened Toppin adding a three-point shot to a child falling in love with a new toy.

“He’s become a really good shooter right now and you don’t just play with that toy. You use all the other tools in your bag and one of those is being a finisher and he can finish better than anyone in the country so we also want him to do that.”

“We’re going to demand a lot out of him and he’s extended his range out to three and he can make it but we’re asking him not to fall in love with the three,” Antigua agreed. “Like the three, but love getting in that paint and get to the free-throw line to put pressure on the opposing team’s defense.”