09 Jun 2025
From 190 College Dunks to Finals Magic: Obi Toppin's Incredible Basketball Journey
The Indiana Pacers' stunning Game 1 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2025 NBA Finals had all the drama you'd expect from championship basketball. Down by 15 points in the fourth quarte...
The Indiana Pacers' stunning Game 1 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2025 NBA Finals had all the drama you'd expect from championship basketball. Down by 15 points in the fourth quarter, the Pacers mounted an incredible comeback capped by Tyrese Haliburton's game-winning shot with 0.3 seconds remaining. But while Haliburton rightfully grabbed the headlines, another former college star played a crucial role in that magical moment—and his journey to this stage has been anything but ordinary.
Obi Toppin, the former Dayton Flyers sensation who once terrorized college basketball with 190 career dunks, came off the bench to score 17 points on an efficient 6-of-9 shooting, including a scorching 5-of-8 from three-point range. For those who followed his college career, watching Toppin contribute to an NBA Finals victory felt like the completion of a redemption story years in the making.
The Dayton Days: Building a Legend
To understand the significance of Toppin's Finals moment, you have to go back to Dayton, where he became one of the most dominant college basketball players in recent memory. After receiving zero NCAA Division I offers out of high school and spending a postgraduate year at Mt. Zion Preparatory School, Toppin arrived at the University of Dayton with something to prove.
What followed was nothing short of spectacular. In his sophomore season at Dayton, Toppin didn't just break records—he shattered them. He became a consensus first-team All-American and swept virtually every major national award, including the Associated Press College Basketball Player of the Year, NABC Player of the Year, Naismith College Player of the Year, Oscar Robertson Trophy, and John R. Wooden Award.
The numbers tell the story of his college dominance:
| Season | Points | Rebounds | Shooting % | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshman | 14.4 PPG | 5.6 RPG | 56.0% | Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year |
| Sophomore | 20.0 PPG | 7.5 RPG | 63.3% | National Player of the Year |
Perhaps most memorably, Toppin finished his college career with a school-record 190 dunks—a testament to his explosive athleticism and ability to finish above the rim. Those thunderous slams at UD Arena became must-see highlights, turning the relatively small Dayton program into appointment television for college basketball fans.
The Rocky Road to Redemption
When the New York Knicks selected Toppin with the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, expectations were sky-high. Here was a player who had dominated college basketball and seemed perfectly suited for the modern NBA with his combination of size, athleticism, and developing three-point shot.
However, Toppin's early NBA career in New York proved challenging. Playing behind All-Star Julius Randle and struggling to find consistent minutes in coach Tom Thibodeau's rotation, Toppin never averaged more than 17 minutes per game during his three seasons with the Knicks. The pressure of being a lottery pick for his hometown team, combined with limited opportunities, created a frustrating situation for both player and franchise.
The low point came during the 2022-23 season when Toppin's playing time actually decreased despite showing flashes of his college brilliance. It became clear that a change of scenery might benefit everyone involved.
Finding Home in Indiana
Everything changed when the Knicks traded Toppin to the Indiana Pacers in July 2023 for just two future second-round picks—a trade that now looks like highway robbery in Indiana's favor. The move to Indianapolis represented more than just a change of teams; it was a fresh start for a player whose confidence had been shaken.
Under head coach Rick Carlisle, Toppin found the perfect system to showcase his skills. The Pacers' fast-paced, high-energy style of play suited his athletic gifts perfectly. More importantly, the team's culture of joy and togetherness—evident in their enthusiastic bench celebrations—helped Toppin rediscover his love for the game.
The results were immediate and impressive. In his first season with Indiana, Toppin posted career-highs across the board:
- Points per game: 10.3 (previous high: 9.0)
- Rebounds per game: 3.9 (previous high: 2.8)
- Field goal percentage: 57.3% (career-high)
- Three-point percentage: 40.3% (career-high)
- Minutes per game: 21.0 (up from 15.6 in New York)
Perhaps most telling was Toppin's efficiency. His 57.3% field goal percentage ranked among the best for forwards in the league, while his 40.3% three-point shooting showed the development of a skill that makes him incredibly valuable in today's NBA.
The Finals Stage
Toppin's performance in Game 1 of the NBA Finals perfectly encapsulated his journey and growth. With both teams opting to play small lineups down the stretch, Toppin found himself playing center—a position that would have been unthinkable during his early NBA struggles but now showcases his versatility.
His 17-point performance wasn't just about the numbers; it was about when and how he scored them. Coming off the bench, Toppin provided the Pacers with energy and spacing that proved crucial in their historic comeback. His five three-pointers helped stretch Oklahoma City's defense and created the driving lanes that ultimately led to Haliburton's game-winner.
"We've had a lot of joy," Toppin said about his time with the Pacers. "It's definitely a lot of excitement in the locker room after the wins just because we're so young, we're learning together, growing together and just out there having fun."
This mindset—the emphasis on joy and collective growth—represents everything that was missing during his time in New York. The Pacers didn't just give Toppin more minutes; they gave him permission to be himself again.
The Dayton Connection Lives On
What makes Toppin's Finals moment even more special is how it reflects the values instilled during his time at Dayton. The Flyers program, under coach Anthony Grant, emphasized hard work, team-first mentality, and never giving up—qualities that served Toppin well during his challenging early NBA years.
Dayton fans who watched every one of those 190 college dunks now get to see their former star contributing to the sport's biggest stage. It's a reminder that college basketball success, while not always translating immediately to NBA stardom, can provide the foundation for long-term professional achievement.
Looking Ahead
As the NBA Finals continue, Toppin's story serves as an inspiration for college players everywhere. His journey from overlooked high school recruit to Dayton legend to NBA Finals contributor proves that persistence and the right opportunity can overcome early professional setbacks.
The four-year, $60 million contract extension Toppin signed with Indiana in July 2024 reflects the organization's belief in his continued growth. At 27 years old, he's entering his prime years with the confidence and system that allow his talents to flourish.
For Dayton fans and college basketball enthusiasts, Toppin's Finals performance represents something deeper than individual success. It's proof that the lessons learned in college—resilience, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of improvement—can carry players through even the darkest professional moments.
From those 190 college dunks that electrified UD Arena to crucial three-pointers on basketball's biggest stage, Obi Toppin's journey reminds us why college basketball matters. Sometimes the path to professional success isn't linear, but for those willing to keep working and believing, redemption stories are always possible.
As Game 2 approaches, one thing is certain: the kid from Dayton who once seemed destined for NBA disappointment has found his place among the game's elite contributors. And for everyone who believed in him along the way, that might be the most satisfying victory of all.
For fans who love tracking stories like these, FanDaily offers exclusive alumni updates and alumni insights delivering the latest on NCAA alumni thriving in the pros. Our comprehensive NCAA dashboard helps you connect with alumni and follow their professional journeys through detailed track records and NBA stat tracker features.