Kentucky's Jacob Toppin signs with CAA Sports

Jacob Toppin has found his representation as he begins his professional basketball career — and it’s a big one.

CAA Sports, one of the most popular and powerful agencies in all of sports, has signed the former Kentucky forward on as a client. The group that has signed 61 first-round draft picks — 14 being in the top five — and helped negotiate 19 max contracts announced Toppin as a new member of the CAA Basketball family this week.

CAA Basketball represents the likes of Devin Booker, Karl-Anthony Town, Julius Randle, Zion Williamson, Paul George, Chris Paul and Donovan Mitchell, among numerous others.

It’s an agency that prides itself on being “in the best position to help our clients and their families accomplish their goals, from draft day to post-career planning. Our agents work with players — from young talent to established veterans — to support all of their career ambitions with opportunities that extend far beyond the sport.

“Our strong relationships with iconic and emerging brands have allowed us to create record-setting endorsement deals for clients across the agency. As the world’s leading talent agency, we have deep connections across film, television, broadcasting, music, publishing and digital.”

CAA helps lead the charge from NBA Draft preparation to the draft itself, contract negotiation and brand building, among other services in its “360-degree approach.”

On the football side of things, the agency has represented 151 top 100 selections since 2008, leading to 153 Pro Bowl selections since 2015 — including eight of the past 12 winners of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

Founded in 1975, Creative Artists Agency LLC (CAA) is based in Los Angeles.

Toppin declared for the NBA Draft back on March 31, forgoing the remainder of his eligibility at Kentucky after three seasons in Lexington.

“To Big Blue Nation, ever since I was a kid, it’s always been a dream of mine to play at the highest level of basketball. I came to Kentucky to chase that dream and in my time here, I’ve grown tremendously not only as a player but as a man.

“This place has taught me things that I will take with me for the rest of my life. For that, I want to thank my coaches and my teammates and most importantly the fans. Your support and passion are things I’ll never forget and I will carry with me. It has been a memorable time for me and Kentucky will forever hold a special place in my heart.

“I’ve loved my time here, but I’m ready to finally fulfill my lifelong dream of playing in the NBA. With that being said I will be entering my name into the 2023 NBA Draft. Go Big Blue!”

Toppin finished his senior campaign as a Wildcat averaging 12.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 31.5 minutes per contest. He closed out his career averaging 8.3 points and 4.7 rebounds in three seasons. Before that, the Brooklyn native put up 5.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per game in his freshman year at Rhode Island.

Now, the versatile forward is working toward living out his NBA dreams — and he’s got some strong help representing him at CAA.