Emotional Obi Toppin After Knicks Selection: 'I'm From New York, That's Why It's Important'

The Knicks selected Dayton forward Obi Toppin with the No. 8 pick in the 2020 NBA draft.

The New York Knicks have selected Dayton forward Obi Toppin with the No. 8 pick in the 2020 NBA draft.

Toppin—who's from Brooklyn—was overcome with emotion upon finding out that he would become a Knick, and was excited to get the chance to represent his city.

“I’m from New York," Toppin said when asked about the importance of wearing a Knicks jersey. "That’s why it’s important. Me repping my city, it’s amazing. A lot of people pray to be in this position, and I’m not gonna take it for granted, I promise you that.”

Why is it importing for Obi Toppin to wear a Knicks jersey?

“I’m from New York, that’s why it’s important. Me repping my city, it’s amazing. A lot of people pray to be in this position, and I’m not going to take it for granted. I promise you that.” pic.twitter.com/IhSTGy0t8S

— Knicks Film School (@KnickFilmSkool) November 19, 2020

Toppin was the consensus National Player of the Year in 2020 after leading the Flyers to a 29-2 record. He averaged 20.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 63.3% from the field and 39.0% on 3-point attempts as a sophomore. In addition to his unmatched production, Toppin turned heads with his eye-popping in-game dunks:

Dayton's Obi Toppin had the bench going wild after this between-the-legs dunk 😳

(via @DavidPJablonski) pic.twitter.com/LOuurwdvyc

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 29, 2018

In his latest mock draft, Sports Illustrated draft expert Jeremy Woo broke down what Toppin can bring to an NBA team. 

"Toppin’s defensive concerns are real, but his inside-out scoring acumen and consistent energy should make him a potential Rookie of the Year candidate wherever he lands. Toppin’s age (22 years old) is only a holdup for teams to a certain point, and in the context of this draft, he feels like a pretty safe bet in the eyes of many."

The Knicks went 21-45 last season and finished in 12th place in the Eastern Conference. The team did not participate in the NBA's Orlando bubble restart.