Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv is delighted to announce the signing of forward Jacob Toppin (26, 2.06m) on a long-term contract through the end of the 2028/29 season.
One of the most athletic and intriguing additions to the club this summer, Toppin arrives in red after spending the past three seasons between the NBA and the NBA G League. So who is Jacob Toppin, what is his connection to Israel, who is his famous brother, and what can Hapoel fans expect from him on the court? Here’s everything you need to know about Hapoel’s newest signing.
Basketball runs in the family
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Toppin grew up in a family where basketball was always at the center of life. His older brother is Obi Toppin, the Indiana Pacers forward and the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Their father, Obadiah Toppin, was a well-known New York streetball player, famous for his athleticism and spectacular dunks—traits that clearly passed down to his sons.
Toppin spent three seasons at the University of Kentucky, steadily developing into a key starter during his final year. He averaged 12.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game, recording eight double-doubles while leading Kentucky in scoring on four occasions. His combination of versatility, athleticism and constant improvement laid the foundation for his professional career.
Although he went undrafted in 2023, Toppin signed a two-way contract with the New York Knicks, splitting time between the NBA and the Westchester Knicks in the G League. During his time with the organization, he made his NBA debut while establishing himself as one of the league’s most productive forwards.
His breakout season came in 2024/25. Across 23 G League games with Westchester and the College Park Skyhawks, Toppin averaged 22.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 36.6 minutes per game while shooting 50.3% from the field, 37.1% from three-point range and 81.2% from the free throw line. He became one of only four players in the league to average at least 20 points and eight rebounds that season.
Midway through the year, Toppin joined the Atlanta Hawks on a two-way contract. In the final game of the NBA season, he delivered the best performance of his NBA career, scoring 17 points, grabbing four rebounds and dishing out two assists in 26 minutes against Orlando while knocking down five three-pointers on eight attempts.
Overall, Toppin appeared in 31 NBA games with New York and Atlanta. Most of his professional experience came in the G League, where he averaged 19.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists across 73 career appearances.
One of the NBA’s elite athletes
One of the highlights of Toppin’s career came during NBA All-Star Weekend 2024, when he was selected to compete in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Following in the footsteps of his brother Obi, who won the competition two years earlier, Jacob has built a reputation as one of the most explosive leapers in American basketball.
Another meaningful link between Toppin and Hapoel is his connection to Israel. Thanks to his family’s Jewish heritage, he is currently in the process of obtaining Israeli citizenship, which could allow him to be registered as a domestic player.
What will Toppin bring to Hapoel?
The first thing that stands out about Toppin is his elite athleticism. He possesses exceptional leaping ability, impressive speed for his position and a wingspan that allows him to play well above the rim. He finishes efficiently around the basket, is an outstanding lob target and scores effectively as a cutter without needing the ball in his hands.
His athleticism also makes him especially dangerous in transition. Toppin runs the floor extremely well, often finishing fast breaks before the defense can get organized. He is capable of grabbing a defensive rebound and pushing the ball himself, or sprinting the lane and finishing at the rim.
Off the ball, Toppin is highly effective. He recognizes defensive lapses, cuts decisively to the basket and uses his explosiveness to finish inside. Whether operating along the baseline, cutting from the weak side or using screens to create space, he consistently finds ways to generate easy scoring opportunities.
Another major area of improvement has been his perimeter shooting. After shooting below 30 percent from three during his college career, Toppin developed into a reliable outside shooter in the G League. During the 2024/25 season, he averaged 2.1 made three-pointers per game while shooting 37.1%, proving particularly effective in catch-and-shoot situations.
Toppin is also capable of attacking closeouts. Using his long first step, he gets past defenders, attacks the paint and finishes over interior defenders. While he is not a primary ball-handler or offensive creator, he can create quality looks for himself with just a few dribbles, especially when defenders close out aggressively.
Rebounding is another important strength of his game. Throughout his G League career, Toppin averaged more than eight rebounds per game, reaching 10.4 rebounds per game before his injury last season. His athleticism, timing and ability to get off the floor quickly make him a valuable contributor on both the defensive and offensive glass.
Defensively, Toppin has the physical tools to guard multiple positions. His size, mobility and athleticism allow him to switch onto wings and forwards, recover quickly, protect the rim from the weak side and contest shots with his length and explosiveness.
This versatility gives the coaching staff the flexibility to use him at both the small forward and power forward positions.
Beyond his current abilities, Hapoel is adding a player with significant upside. At just 26 years old, Toppin arrives in Europe after consistently expanding his skill set during each of his G League seasons. He transformed himself from an inconsistent perimeter shooter into a reliable floor spacer, improved his decision-making and proved he can produce at a consistently high level.
Hapoel has added a young, athletic and versatile forward who brings NBA experience, perimeter shooting, rebounding, transition play and the flexibility to play both forward positions. Alongside his on-court abilities, the possibility of being registered as an Israeli player could make him an even more valuable asset for both the short and long term.
For Toppin, this marks the first chapter of his career outside the United States. For Hapoel, it is an opportunity to add a player with tremendous upside who has yet to reach his full potential and could become an important part of the club’s future.
Welcome to Hapoel, Jacob — Yalla Hapoel!
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