Knicks: Analyzing Obi Toppin’s 4 best college games

Obi Toppin best college games: Dayton vs. Indiana State, 11/09/19

In the first game of his sophomore season, Toppin came out firing on all cylinders. He absolutely dominated, putting up 29 points and 12 rebounds on 10-16 shooting. He also tallied three assists and two blocks. While most players often shy away from contact at the beginning of a long season, Toppin continued to attack the rim over and over again.

He attempted 11 free throws that night, a season-high for him in the opening game of the year. With Dayton clinging onto a three-point lead with 41 seconds left, the sophomore forward calmly stepped up to the line and sunk two clutch foul shots to put the game away.

He spent most of the night getting his buckets in the low post, capitalizing on Indiana State’s porous defense. He used his 6’9″, 220-pound frame to bully his way into the paint before finishing with an array of layups and hook shots.

His athleticism also allows him to crash the offensive glass and finish putback dunks on a nightly basis. His “second jump” when cleaning up missed shots is very impressive and should definitely translate to the pros.

Confidence is an extremely important quality in a draft prospect, especially ones that come to play under the bright lights in New York. There have been many recent draft picks and free agency additions that haven’t been able to handle the immense pressure that comes with representing one of the largest cities in the world.

Toppin made a statement the very first time he stepped on the court. If he can do the same thing when he first puts on the blue and orange, it’ll likely be the first step in a long career as a Knick.