Obi Toppin hasn’t played major minutes for the Knicks in his rookie season, but the 2020 lottery pick is expected to participate in the revamped Slam Dunk contest on All-Star Sunday.
A source confirmed Toppin is “likely” to participate in the popular event, which has been switched this year to halftime of the All-Star Game due to COVID-19 restrictions. The NBA has yet to announce any participants for the dunk contest, the 3-point shooting contest or the skills competition.
Toppin, the No. 8-overall pick in the draft out of Dayton, is averaging 4.8 points and 12.1 minutes per game, all off the bench, in 23 appearances.
Earlier this month, the 6-foot-9 Toppin coyly indicated he believed he had a strong chance at an invitation to be part of the festivities at the March 7 showcase in Atlanta.
“The Dunk Contest, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see,’’ Toppin said with a smile. “I don’t want to just give you all answers, but hopefully I might be able to be there. Maybe not. So we’re just going to have to wait and see.’’
