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To no surprise, Kentucky Wildcats forward Jacob Toppin is expected to sit out the 2020-21 season, according to Cats Pause.
Toppin, a sophomore transfer from Rhode Island, was unlikely to receive a waiver to play next season. But even had he somehow gotten a waiver, UK was planning on having him redshirt before he potentially takes on a big role for the 2021-22 Wildcats as a redshirt sophomore. So it’s no surprise to hear the plan remains for Toppin to sit and develop this season.
A 6-8, 190-pound forward from Woodstock Academy in Connecticut, Toppin averaged 5.1 points and 3.9 rebounds in 30 games as a freshman at Rhode Island, who plays in the Atlantic 10 Conference. He was originally a three-star small forward in the Class of 2019 with offers from Rhode Island, Cal Poly, Stony Brook, Central Connecticut State and Quinnipiac.
Toppin certainly had the potential to be an impact player this coming season had he been eligible. Just last season, he scored 11 points on 4/7 shooting in a win at Alabama, then scored 10 points on 5/11 shooting in a loss at LSU, as he’s already gotten a taste of what life in the SEC is like. He also went for 12 points on 5/7 shooting with eight boards in a loss to a Richmond team that was in position to make the NCAA Tournament.
Jacob is the younger brother of Obi Toppin, who just won multiple National Player of the Year awards as a redshirt sophomore at Dayton.
Because it’s been so rare for UK to take commitments from traditional transfers, especially ones from non-Power 5 programs, you have to think John Calipari sees something special brewing in the younger Toppin.
Get a glimpse of his potential with these highlights:
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