John Calipari predicts breakthrough season for Jacob Toppin

The Kentucky men’s basketball program has installed a machine, the Noah Shooting System, on top of each of the goals at the Joe Craft Center. It’s a system that measures shots in practice, providing feedback on shot arc, depth and left-right accuracy to correct jump shots in real time.

It’s an eye-in-the-sky of sorts, using facial recognition to track both shot quality and quantity at every practice using live data and analytics. The goal is to build muscle memory to help work toward becoming a better jump-shooter over time.

It also unofficially tracks work ethic — a greater number of shots indicates more time spent in the gym, right?

The early feedback? Kentucky senior Jacob Toppin is outworking his peers, a sign a breakthrough season is coming, head coach John Calipari believes.

In three short weeks, the versatile forward has racked up nearly three thousand jump shots to lead the Wildcats.

“Jacob leads the team with 2,800 shots in how long? A month or three weeks? Three weeks. He had 2,800 shots in three weeks,” Calipari said at SEC Media Day in Birmingham on Wednesday. “He’s living in the gym. Every player I’ve ever coached that lives in the gym, they’ve had breakthroughs. They had breakthroughs.”

Toppin put his work ethic and clear development on full display during Kentucky’s four-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas, averaging 16.8 points on 56.5% shooting and 53.3% from three to go with 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 blocks per contest. He oozed confidence with every shot, dribble move and defensive stop.

“I’m proud of him. He stepped up, made some plays,” associate head coach Orlando Antigua said of Toppin in the Bahamas. “… The stuff he’s worked on all spring and summer has translated to competitive games. Playing lower, playing through contact, playing through the first initial physical bump against the defense. Being able to make shots in transition when he’s open, his post-up game, high post turnaround jump shots, all of the things he’s been working on with his game.

“To see him do it against other competition in a competitive atmosphere, that’s what you want.”

The confidence and production are a product of the reps, with junior forward Lance Ware witnessing his frontcourtmate’s work ethic up close and personal this offseason.

“Jacob is always in the gym, developing his jump shot but also just being more confident. Confidence is key in this game and the more confident you are the better you’ll play,” Ware said. “I see him locked in, but like anybody, you need to have a balance. And I think Jacob found his perfect balance between being focused, locking in, and also not being too locked in where he can’t connect with the team and bond.

“He found his perfect balance and I think it’s working out well for him right now.”

What comes next for Toppin as he looks to springboard himself into superstardom? Car crashes — yes, car crashes — Coach Cal says.

Not literally, obviously. Rather, playing with a physical mindset and initiating — not taking — contact.

“We’re trying to get him into more car crashes. You know car crashes? You drive and you create the car crash,” Calipari said of Toppin. “You’re not getting T-boned, you’re T-boning that dude. When he does that, what happens? He plays really good, but he also gets hurts, grabbing his shoulder and knee and all that.

“We’ve got to get through all of that to say, ‘Yes, I’m shooting the ball way better. I’m handling it better, I’m more confident. But I’m not just playing on the perimeter, I’m going to drive this thing and be in some car crashes.'”

Also, he’s listed at 6-foot-8 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan and an 8-foot-8 standing reach to go with a 45-inch max vertical. Use those physical gifts to help make that jump — literally and figuratively.

“He jumps — how many inches did he jump? 45 inches,” Calipari said. “Well go in there, jump 45 inches!”

It also comes down to maturity, growing mentally to match his physical development. A slow start to his time in Lexington, maybe, but Toppin has come a long way.

“He’s doing great, he’s defending, he’s talking. He has grown up,” Calipari said. “He’s gone from about 13 years old to probably 16 years old now, maybe 17. He’s matured and I’m proud of him.”

“When I was a freshman, (Toppin) started off at like 8 (years old),” Ware added. “He was 13 last year. Started off at 8 and now he’s like 16, 17. He still has his times.”

With physical and mental growth, though, comes greater expectations. He’s told on himself, showing how hard he can work and the leader he can be on this team. Now it’s time to have the breakthrough season his peers know he can have.

“I get on him now, hold him to a high standard because he’s here (lower) and I’m seeing this (higher),” Calipari said of Toppin. “Why not be that guy? Why settle for making some jumpers or ‘I can make a three now.’ So? Go be that other guy that dominates our league.”

“Jacob is ready, super proud of him,” Ware added. “Us coming here at the same time and seeing him develop his game, I’m nothing but happy and proud for him. Just seeing how he changed his whole mindset and how he locked in and just focused on his craft.

“Good things happen to good people. He definitely deserves everything that he’s gonna get. I expect him to have a huge season and I’m really happy for him.”