Former Kentucky forward Jacob Toppin has signed a two-way contract with the New York Knicks, the club announced on Monday.
A two-way contract allows players to simultaneously be rostered on an NBA team and also its G League affiliate. Each NBA team is limited to three players on two-way contracts beginning for the 2023-24 season.
Toppin, 23, has appeared in eight games for the Knicks this season, averaging 1.6 points in 4.6 minutes per game. Playing for the G League’s Westchester Knicks, Toppin averaged 21.5 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 15 games. He recorded a career-high 40 points and 13 rebounds in a 139-128 victory over the Birmingham Squadron on Feb. 9.
He also participated in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest over All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis last month.
Toppin’s older brother, Obi Toppin, also played for the Knicks before being traded to the Indiana Pacers this season.
Toppin entered the 2023 NBA Draft while forgoing his remaining college eligibility on March 31 and signed with the Knicks after going undrafted. Two-time All-American and former national player of the year Oscar Tshiebwe, who also went undrafted, signed a two-way deal with the Indiana Pacers.
He was a key contributor for the Wildcats (22-12) last season, averaging 12.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while starting 31 of 33 games. He went from 17.7 minutes per game last season to 31.5 minutes per game this season while doubling his scoring, rebounding and assists per game from a year ago.
