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No other prospect in 2020 will see their draft stock rise as much as Obi Toppin’s has since the beginning of 2019-20 college basketball season. The Dayton forward went from under the radar to being named the AP National Player of the Year in just a couple months behind an eye-opening sophomore campaign. Toppin averaged 20 PPG on 63/39/70 splits to go along with 7.5 RPG, while leading the Flyers to a 29-2 record, before the sports world got put on hold due to the coronavirus.
The 6-foot-9, 220 lb forward possesses a unicorn-like skillset; his efficiency around the basket combined with his unique athleticism and ability to score at all three-levels made him a matchup nightmare for opposing college teams to deal with. Although not extremely quick, Toppin utilizes a solid handle and improving jump shot to keep defenses honest.
Currently, he is rated as the ninth-best prospect on my big board, but according to the top legal online sports betting sites in the USA (usalegalbetting.com) he will continue to rise. Defensive concerns hinder his stock, but there are a lot of things to like about Toppin’s game. Let’s take a look at some of the best possible fits.
Golden State Warriors
Surprise, surprise. Losing key players to both departures and injuries destroyed the 2019-20 season for the Warriors, which will grant them a high draft pick whenever the draft rolls around. However, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson will be healthy; not to mention, Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green also join the core. Golden State won’t have any glaring needs, and might use the pick as trade bait, but Toppin would fit like a glove in the system. The rotation would allow him to play as a four or small-ball five, playing off of pick-and-rolls and scoring around the basket. Most of the opposing attention would be centered around the Warriors’ backcourt, so there wouldn’t be any glowing pressure on him to be a significant scorer right away. Steve Kerr does an exceptional job of getting guys to play within his system; adding Toppin to the mix just adds icing on the cake.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns have a bright future ahead of them if they continue to add the right pieces. Toppin wouldn’t do Phoenix any favors in terms of defense, but he would supply the roster with a quality forward that can create offense, score at all three levels, and score around the rim. Whether he starts at the four or backs up DeAndre Ayton is to be determined, but he’s a quality rotational piece that isn’t likely to be a bust like some of the Suns’ selections in the past.
The organization could elect to go with a young point guard to eventually replace Ricky Rubio, but if Toppin is still available when Phoenix drafts, they need to take a serious look. At the very least, he makes a ton of sense from a business standpoint; Toppin took the world by storm this year with his in-game windmill dunks and other flashy highlights. There’s no doubt he’d be another measure to get people in the stands and jersey sales would increase substantially as well.
San Antonio Spurs
I’m not totally sure that he would fall to the Spurs, but Toppin mixed in with the Spurs’ coaching staff is a recipe for success. The Spurs need a dose of youth inserted into their aging frontcourt and Toppin could fill in at the four or the five depending on small-ball tactics. San Antonio is in a weird situation; they currently have two stars that are past their primes, joined by a slew of role players. Most of the talents are in the backcourt, but there is very little star potential throughout the roster.
The organization should be in best-player-available mode when it comes to drafting and Toppin presents a high-ceiling, low-floor option. He has all-star potential, but at the very worst could be a solid rotational fit in the frontcourt. The Dayton sophomore’s athleticism and high basketball IQ ensure his fit within the rotation, but it will certainly take some time for him to find his niche in the league. The fit isn’t picture-perfect, but the Spurs would definitely be able to maximize his skillset.
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