REPORT: Jacob Toppin plans to sit out 2020-21 season

On3 imageby:Zack Geoghegan07/03/20

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(Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

In news we all expected to hear, Jacob Toppin is planning to sit out the 2020-21 season.

According to a report by Cats Pause, the transfer from Rhode Island will not be able to gain immediate eligibility through the NCAA in order to play in the upcoming season. Unlike fellow Kentucky transfer Olivier Sarr, Toppin doesn’t have a strong case that would grant him the waiver.

Toppin, who is the younger brother of 2020 NCAA Player of the Year Obi Toppin, spent one season with the Rams before deciding to make the move to Lexington back in April. During his freshman season, Toppin appeared in 30 games, averaging 5.1 points and 3.9 rebounds while playing 18.5 minutes per game. Luckily, the 6-foot-8 forward will still be able to practice with his Wildcat teammates and a redshirted season could give him a leg up when he does finally take the Rupp Arena floor.

Head coach John Calipari has been all about adding transfers to his roster over the last few years and he took that to the next level with Toppin. Obviously, the status of Sarr will be a critical key to Kentucky’s success next season, as has been the case with previous transfers Reid Travis and Nate Sestina. But not only did Cal add Toppin and Sarr this past offseason, he even brought on Creighton graduate transfer Davion Mintz to shore up the backcourt.

Instead of searching for just one transfer, Cal has been mining through the transfer portal in search of a diamond in the rough. The backcourt for the upcoming season is already solidified and Toppin can take the year to soak up any and all information. If Toppin does go through with sitting out, he’ll be the first traditional transfer to attend Kentucky since Ryan Harrow during the 2011-12 season.

Let’s not forget, Toppin likes to dunk.

 

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2024-03-28