Obi Toppin, the Sophomore Forward for the Dayton Flyers, who took the College Basketball World by storm, has now been selected as the National Player of the Year as reported this week per the Associated Press.
Toppin, a 6'9 230-pound Combo Forward, who contemplated going pro last season, decided that after seeing where his stock was (late 1st rounder at best), he might need another season to work on his skills and game.
After delegating with his family, coaches, and close friends? Toppin decided to come back for his sophomore season.
This is a decision, his coach, his family and the entire college community (especially Dayton fans) would be grateful for.
A great move by all accounts, as Toppin not only led the Flyers to a Atlantic-10 Championship, he also led them to the highest ranking (#3 In AP Poll) in over 60 years (1955). The high flyer averaged 20 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.6 blocks and a steal a game while shooting 63% from the field and almost 40% from the 3.
But it was the team accolades and the ESPN Highlights that propelled Toppin to the award.
Most people in Dayton and in New York knew he was real good. But he did take it to another level this season, as he led the team to 20 straight wins, all the while creating his own Personal Reality Show every night he played on.
Once the Flyers got on that winning streak, the Flyer hype was on.
And on. And on. And on. And on.
That is because the Flyers never lost again.
They paraded through the entire Atlantic-10 league, going undefeated and inviting the basketball media gods over at ESPN to take a look.
Once ESPN GameDay came in, it was official:
Toppin had entered the Player of The Year Sweepstakes.
And he did not disappoint, throwing down 3 incredible dunks, including a between the legs showstopper that hasn’t been seen before in college.
Until now.
While UD was headed to a magical finish, the Coronavirus outbreak shut down the Sports world, including the normally automatic March Madness College Basketball Tournament that everyone usually gets so excited for. While it has been a crushing blow to the team, the community and the sports world, it hasn’t stopped the party for Toppin and the Flyers as far as recognition is concerned.
Toppin and Dayton Head Coach Anthony Grant have won multiple awards already, as both were named Coach and Player of the Year respectively for The Sporting News and the Associated Press.
 |
| Draft Status Before Season (1st Round) |
It's only right that they share the spotlight, considering Toppin was one of Grants' first recruits at UD. Throughout the process, Grant helped guide and develop Toppin into a Top-10 pick in the NBA, which we here at S.E.Live boasted last season to anyone who would listen.
Congratulations to Toppin, a great kid who has embraced the Dayton mentality and environment, and became the first player to ever win the College Player of the Year Award from the school.
Just a travesty that they couldn’t finish it on the court. Maybe the Flyers might have a NCAA Championship as well.
But again, on a positive note, Toppin has decided to enter his name into the NBA Draft.
Toppin has been predicted to be a lottery pick (1 through 14) and has been spotted as high as #5 by The Bleacher Report.
When Toppin and his team got this news of how his stock had imoroved drastically, it prompted the super talented Forward to enter his name and head to fulfill a lifetime dream.
Thank you Obi for morphing into a true leader and Ambassador of the program in Dayton, all the while becoming what we always knew you were since last season:
A elite college basketball player who was a Top 10 NBA basketball prospect; a respectful and exuberant young man who has the uncanny ability to change everyones lives he comes in contact with.
Blessings Obi.
No comments:
Post a Comment