10. Obi Toppin, Dayton
20 years old | Power forward | 6-foot-9 | 220 lbs
Stats (SO): 20 ppg (.633/.390/.702), 7.5 rpg, 2.2 apg
Despite playing for a very successful Dayton squad, Obi Toppin was not a household name coming into the 2019-20 season but he certainly is now. The 6-foot-9 forward out of Brooklyn, New York had a dominant 2019-20 season and took home the USBWA (District V) Player of the Year award for his stellar season. Toppin averaged 20 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists on a remarkably efficient 68.4% true shooting percentage. Toppin only shot 70.2% from the free throw line on the season, with his true shooting % being lifted by his 39% shooting from 3-point range. That is a huge part of his appeal, as Toppin clearly projects to be at the very least, a productive inside-out threat at the NBA level.
In the league, Toppin will be a pick-and-pop threat as long as he is paired with a solid guard who has solid timing on PnR/PnP passes. Toppin is a solid screen setter with good footwork, which allows him to fluster a variety of big man defenders. While his jump shooting is impressive, Toppin’s dominant inside scoring—boosted by his big-time athleticism—is the basis of his game.
https://twitter.com/DaytonMBB/status/1237778802425511936
In the NBA Toppin will be able to score just off of getting out in transition and sealing his man in order to receive early post-entry passes. He is also a willing and skilled passer—though he needs to clean up his turnovers— who averaged 4.1 assists per 100 possessions over his two seasons at Dayton. While the offense will come easy, defense will present a steeper learning curve. Toppin maintained a great block rate (4.1%) last season but will need to cover significantly more ground laterally at the NBA level. With the belief that Toppin’s athleticism and coachability will allow him to be an above-average defender, he is easily a top-10 prospect in this class.
9. Cole Anthony, North Carolina
19 years old | Point guard | 6-foot-3 | 184 lbs
Stats (FR): 18.5 ppg (.380/.348/.750), 5.7 rpg, 4.0 apg
Cole Anthony was a prospect that started off the 2019-20 season as someone many analysts thought would be a lock to be a top-3 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. But as we all know, a lot can change throughout a full NCAA basketball season and indeed things are much different now. Anthony is still a clear lottery talent and despite poor shooting numbers, he looked like a top-10 talent in the 2019-20 season.
Anthony was a fierce competitor who showed tremendous physicality on the court, especially for a guard. While he doesn’t box out every time down the floor, he averaged 5.7 rebounds per game. Anthony also showed no fear of contact going to the rim on offense, attempting 128 free throws over 22 games. Anthony’s confidence is perhaps his biggest strength and weakness. He can shoot his team out of games and will probably work best at the NBA level with another guard who can act as a primary or secondary playmaker until he comes further along as a passer, though he is solid now. Anthony’s 3-point shooting (34.5%) will improve with NBA floor spacing, as will his FG% at the rim (53.6%).
Only 8.1% of Anthony’s shots at the rim were assisted, while he maintained a 24.1% assist rate, easily the best on the team. This shows just how much Anthony created for himself and his teammates, as does his massive Russell Westbrook-like 30% usage rate. Anthony looks the part of a legit lead guard in the NBA because of his ability to be an offensive engine and he gives effort on defense though he will need to prove he can stay locked in on D even when his shot isn’t falling.