11. OBI TOPPIN / FORWARD / DAYTON
A unique 6-foot-9 athlete, there’s a lot to like about Obi Toppin. He was the collegiate Player of the Year as a sophomore playing for Dayton — not an easy accomplishment. He’s highly accomplished and boasts a skill set that should, on paper, bode well at the next level.
Toppin is an explosive athlete and, in certain spots, a very graceful one. He’s a fluid rim-runner in transition, a powerful finisher inside, and he packs an impressive all-around punch on offense. He can screen and roll, he can face-up, he can hit spot-up jumpers. As far as offense goes, Toppin should have no trouble fitting in to an NBA system. He should thrive.
The concern is this. Here are his player comps on The Ringer’s NBA Draft Guide: Amar’e Stoudemire (on offense), Jahlil Okafor (on defense). L-O-L. Toppin is not a good defender, and his vertical pop which plays so gracefully on offense simply doesn’t translate to the other side of the floor. He’s a stiff and rigid defender who struggles in space and doesn’t have a comfortable position. It’s a big drawback to an elite offensive package.