Dayton Alumni in the NBA | Sept. 6–12, 2026
Obi Toppin may be the sixth man, but don't mistake his role for a minor one.
The former Dayton Flyer enters the 2026–27 NBA season as the primary backup to Pascal Siakam in Indiana's frontcourt — a pairing that Sports Illustrated identifies as central to how far the Pacers can go in the postseason. With Siakam anchoring the position as one of the East's premier All-Stars, Toppin's production off the bench could be the difference between a deep run and an early exit.
It's a fitting stage for Toppin, who became one of the most electrifying players in Dayton program history before going 8th overall in the 2020 draft. Now in his sixth NBA season, he's settled into a complementary role that suits his athleticism — rim-running, lob finishing, and high-energy minutes that give Indiana's offense a different gear when Siakam sits.
The Pacers are coming off a stretch of postseason relevance and are openly building toward another long April and May. Coach Rick Carlisle's up-tempo system is tailor-made for a forward like Toppin, who thrives in transition and in the pick-and-roll. The question heading into the season is whether he can consistently deliver on both ends — Indiana will need stops as much as highlight dunks if they're going to make noise.
Other Flyers to Watch
Toppin isn't the only Dayton product with NBA skin in the game this fall.
DaRon Holmes II, the Nuggets' big man, is in Denver's frontcourt mix as he continues to develop alongside Nikola Jokić. Toumani Camara heads into the year as a rotation piece for the rebuilding Trail Blazers in Portland. Koby Brea is on the Suns' perimeter, while Jalen Crutcher is with the Magic in Orlando.
None have the postseason spotlight that Toppin carries into this season, but the depth of Flyers across NBA rosters is a quiet testament to what Dayton's program has built — and continues to build — at the professional level.
For Toppin specifically, the 2026–27 season is a chance to prove that his best basketball aligns with Indiana's best basketball. If the Pacers make a run, his fingerprints will be on it.
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