Pace Jam: A New Legacy; Knicks G Leaguer Jacob Toppin Tabbed for Slam Dunk Contest
Jacob Toppin is getting ready to join the family business.
Per Chris Haynes of TNT Sports, the New York Knicks' G League standout will partake in the upcoming Slam Dunk Contest on Feb. 17 at Lucas Oil Stadium as part of the upcoming All-Star Weekend festivities. A further report from Shams Charania states that Toppin will be joined by Jaylen Brown (Boston), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (Miami), and defending Dunk Contest champion/fellow G League rep Mac McClung (Osceola).
The younger Toppin has a lot to live up to: Knicks stars have prevailed in the slamming showcase a record five times, including three alone for Nate Robinson. In addition to Kenny "Sky" Walker, that list includes Jacob's older brother Obi, who took home the title in 2022.
This marks the fourth consecutive year with at least one Knick in the Dunk Contest: the elder Toppin partook in consecutive tournaments (finishing runner-up to Anfernee Simmons in 2021) while Jericho Sims appeared last season, finishing third behind McClung and Trey Murphy.
Jacob Toppin joined the Knicks as an undrafted free agent out of Kentucky over the summer and has been one of the Westchester Knicks' star attractions to the tune of 20.4 points and 8.1 rebounds a game during the regular season. He also put up 14.9 points and seven rebounds during the G League Winter Showcase, which saw the Knicks take the title from Indiana's affiliate. Toppin has appeared in three games for the NBA's Knicks this season, including the Dec. 30 visit to face the Indiana Pacers, which saw him briefly share the floor with Obi.
Joining the ranks of the Knicks' dunking elite won't be easy: in addition to the All-Star Brown and rising rookie Jaquez, Toppin will have to deal with the continued efforts of McClung, who took home last season's title in Salt Lake City while residing with the Philadelphia 76ers' affiliate in Delaware.
WATCH: Obi, Jacob Toppin Reunite in Knicks-Pacers Game
Toppin and Westchester will enjoy a three-game homestand at Westchester County Center before he jets off to Indianapolis, beginning on Thursday against the New Orleans Pelicans' affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+).