Jacob Toppin declares for 2023 NBA Draft, will forgo final season with Kentucky basketball

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky forward Jacob Toppin's college career is over.

Toppin announced Friday he will not take advantage of the extra season granted by the NCAA to athletes as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, he will begin focusing on the 2023 NBA Draft.

“To Big Blue Nation: ever since I was a kid, it’s always been a dream of mine to be able to play at the highest level of basketball,” Toppin said in a statement released by the UK athletics department. "I came to Kentucky to chase that dream and in my time here, I’ve grown tremendously not only as a player but as a man. This place has taught me things that I will take with me for the rest of my life. For that, I want to thank my coaches and my teammates and most importantly the fans. Your support and passion are things I’ll never forget, and I will carry with me."

Toppin wasn't expected to be back with the Wildcats for a fifth college season.

After the team's loss to Kansas State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, coach John Calipari said he didn't believe any senior would return to Lexington to use the eligibility waiver. Sahvir Wheeler entered the transfer portal Monday, while former walk-on Brennan Canada, who was placed on scholarship in January, announced Thursday he will return to UK.

Looking forward: What's ahead for John Calipari and Kentucky basketball after early NCAA Tournament exit?

Toppin faces an uphill climb to the NBA. He is not rated among ESPN's top 100 prospects in this year's draft, and isn't projected to be selected in the latest mocks from USA Today, NBAdraft.net or NBAdraftroom.com.

“I’m excited for Jacob to take this next step of chasing his dream of becoming a professional player,” Calipari said Friday. “Jacob has steadily improved every season and is ready for this next step. He has all of the tools to be successful in that league and is mentally prepared beyond measure to handle anything that comes his way.”

Toppin, who transferred to Kentucky after one season at Rhode Island, saved his best college season for last.

He averaged 12.4 points per game, behind fellow seniors Oscar Tshiebwe (16.5) and Antonio Reeves (14.4). His 6.8 rebounds per game ranked second on the team, trailing only Tshiebwe's nation-leading 13.7. Toppin recorded eight double-doubles last season after having none prior to the season.

Toppin improved as a perimeter shooter in his final season, from 27.6% (21 for 76) on 3-point attempts in his first three seasons to 50% (13 for 26) during SEC play in 2022-23.

Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @RyanABlack.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: NBA draft 2023: Jacob Toppin declares, leaves Kentucky basketball team