Obi Toppin is an American professional basketball player for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for Dayton, where he was named the Naismith College Player of the Year in 2020.

Toppin was born on March 4th, 1998 in Brooklyn, New York. At a young age, Obi enjoyed playing soccer and running track. However, when his father introduced him to basketball at 11 years old it soon became his passion. Growing up in The Bronx public housing projects with five siblings motivated him to pursue a career as a pro athlete and make sure he could provide stability for his familys future.

In high school Toppin attended Ossining High School before transferring to Mt Zion Prep School in Maryland during his junior year. While there he helped lead them to back-to-back conference championships and earned MVP honors after averaging 19 points per game as a senior. During this time he was also rated as a four-star recruit by ESPN which included him being ranked 34th overall nationally among seniors .

After graduating from Mt Zion Prep , Toppin committed to play college basketball for dayton University . His freshman season saw instant success when he averaged 14 points per game along with 5 rebounds helping Dayton win their first regular season Atlantic 10 championship since 2003 and earn an NCAA tournament bid . He only continued that momentum throughout his career finishing top five all time scorer list at dayton while earning various awards including Most Valuable Player of 2019 Atlantic 10 Championship ,2020 All -American First team selectionnand most notably 2020 Naismith College player of the year award making him just second consecutive winner from same university following Anthony Grant’s 2021 victory
Obl also made history becoming first ever foreign born player selected 8th overall pick by new york knicks In 1st round NBA draft 2020 making landing on big stage more than worthy reward for all hard work dedication put forth over years

Through highs lows encountered along way obi toppim has established himself one best players not only country but world who never let go dreams despite difficult circumstances faced growing up family focus always remained same be able provide stable future generations come take care those who have taken care you journey continues entering nba platform showing no signs slowing down anytime soon