Jacob Toppin (Rhode Island University Athletics Photo)
John Calipari has added another transfer to the Kentucky basketball roster although it’s not known when he will hit the floor.
Rhode Island freshman Jacob Toppin announced on social media Thursday that he was Lexington-bound. The 6-foot-8 forward is the younger brother of Dayton’s Obi Toppin, the national player of the year.
Toppin played 18 minutes a game for the Rams, averaging five points and four rebounds. He chose Kentucky over Iowa State and Oregon.
Toppin’s announcement comes one day after sophomore E.J. Montgomery announced he was entering the NBA Draft.
Because Toppin is a traditional NCAA transfer, he would have to sit out a season before being eligible to play. However, the NCAA will vote next month on whether to allow athletes a one-time ability to transfer to a new school without sitting out a season.
Keion Brooks Jr. is the only returning player on the Kentucky roster with any significant playing time. Kentucky is also in the mix for 7-foot-3 Matt Haarms, a graduate transfer from Purdue who has listed the Wildcats as a potential landing spot.
