Obi Toppin’s first dunk contest was as a senior at Ossining High, facing three other Section 1 high schoolers (Westchester schools).
“He came out from inside the foul line and flew like MJ to win the contest,” Osining coach Michael Casey told The Post. “Most of the others struggled to complete their springs. But, no, I didn’t think Obi was in the NBA dungeon contest after that. “
It will be a particularly proud time for the Toppin family when the Knicks rookie lottery selection – a late-season starter who wasn’t even a full-time starter in his first year at Ossining – competes in Sunday’s Slam-Dunk Contest . The event will take place in the middle of the Atlanta All-Star Game.
Toppin’s No. 1 growing basketball idol was not Michael Jordan, but his father, Obadiah, a streetball legend nicknamed “Dunkers Delight.”
Obadiah participated in the former Andball Street Tour and was part of a 2006 Gatorade ad featuring Vince Carter, Dwyane Wade and Ben Wallace.
“I’ve talked to him about some of the dunks,” Toppin said. “It basically tells me which ones will look crazy at the moment.”
Toppin said his father, who also played overseas, is his No. 1 inspiration in the dunk department.
“I grew up watching him,” Toppin said. “All the teams he played on were: it was called Dunkers Delight, so that speaks for itself.”
Contacted by The Post, Obadiah said he planned to be in Atlanta.
“I’m very excited and anxious,” Obadiah told The Post. “I know he’ll do what he does.”
Some dunk contest mavens believe one of Toppin’s dunks on Sunday will be a variation of a quick leg slam he held in Dayton last season. Toppin said after the game it was a mess his father perfected on the Rucker and Dyckman Park tracks.
Toppin, who turned 23 earlier this week, will be in Atlanta with one of his Knicks teammates, star Julius Randle. In the pandemic format, players were told to arrive Saturday night, so there wouldn’t be much training time for Toppin to use Randle as a prop.
Toppin likes props that include jumping over obstacles and referred to Aaron Gordon’s artistic performance last season when he jumped over a 7-foot, five-foot Tacko Fall.
When asked if the 6-9 Randle, his advanced mentor, would provide assistance during the halfway through the contest, Toppin did not rule it out.
“I don’t know how to answer; maybe I’ll go to Julius, maybe not,” Toppin said.
Toppin will go against former Duke Cassius Stanley guard, a second-round pick who has been playing in the G-League for the Pacers, and against Portland guard Anfernee Simons. They will donate their $ 100,000 profits to historically black schools. Toppin is wrapped up by York College.
“It’s definitely crazy for me, and it’s crazy because the other day I was just texting with Cassius,” Toppin said. “It simply came to our notice then. We are in our first year in the NBA and will be able to compete in this dunk contest. So having this opportunity is a blessing. “
Casey, Toppin’s high school coach, said his former player may not be the favorite, as he’s an older man who goes against guards who are usually more visually appealing flying through the air.
“You have to be creative,” Casey said.
Toppin is the sixth Knicks player to compete in the dunk contest; the last to win it was goalie Nate Robinson, who won it three times. Kenny “Sky” Walker won as Knick in 1989.
“I’ve been seeing a lot of mess these past two days,” Toppin said. “I will try to do things that have not yet been in the dunk contest. I’ve seen a lot of big springs. You may have to break one of the old dunks that someone did. I’m definitely preparing for the time to come. “
The only dunk man Toppin is glad he didn’t have to face on Sunday is Bulls guard Zach LaVine making his first All-Star appearance. Toppin feared LaVine, the 2016 winner, would be put in as he would be in Atlanta anyway.
“I’m glad Zach isn’t there,” Toppin said. “I am just going to put this out there. I’m glad it’s not there because it’s a big mess. I definitely love to compete. Even if I was there, I would have had a great time and we would have done a show for everyone. There are three amazing dunkers, Cassius and I and Anfernee. So all three of us, I feel like we’re going to do a show for everyone. “