Cody Toppert
Encyclopedia
Cody Arlyn Töpper is an American
-born German
professional basketball
player. At 6'4" (194 cm) tall, he is a left-handed guard who possesses an ability to shoot the ball and is quick and strong enough to drive past defenders and finish in the lane. He played for the Plymouth Raiders of the BBL for the first half of the 2010-2011 season, before requesting a transfer to the Italian League, which had been a dream of his.
(1998–2001) where he was a two-time USA Today All-American
, McDonald's All-American, and was named New Mexico's 2001 Player of the Year, while earning first team all-city, district, and state honors, while twice being named the District Most Valuable Player. During his varsity career, Toppert was invited to play in the Adidas ABCD Camp and was named the top shooting guard at the Five-Star Basketball Camp.
(2001–2005) where he was a four-year starter under coach Steve Donahue
. Toppert would become instrumental in helping lay the foundation for a program that had won just five games the year before he arrived to their eventual berth in the 2008 NCAA Tournament
. He currently sits 9th all-time at Cornell in career scoring with 1,232 points, while he is 2nd in career three pointers made (237) behind Ryan Wittman, and 2nd in all-time games played (108). Toppert is #6 in Ivy League
history in total three-point field goals made.
, coached by former NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Michael Cooper. In just his first season, Toppert helped guide the Thunderbirds to their first ever D-League championship
. Following his success, Toppert chose to take his talents overseas where he played in New Zealand
for the Taranaki Mountain Airs, leading the league in scoring at 22.1 points per game. He then moved on to Europe
, playing in Portugal
for FC Barreirense
, where he averaged 12.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game, carrying his club to their first ever appearance in the Cup of Portugal's final four. Similarly, Toppert also led the organization to its first ever appearance in the final eight of the Taca De Liga Cofidis.
Toppert played the 2007/2008 season for the Great Falls Explorers
of the CBA
under former NBA All-Star Scott Wedman
. He averaged 16ppg, 3rpg, 3apg and 1.5spg, and was three times named to the honor roll for CBA Player of the Week. In 2009, he was signed by MEG Göttingen of the German Basketball Bundesliga
. Toppert subsequently acquired a German passport,as a consequence, he had to assume his family's original surname Töpper. In January 2010 Töpper moved to BC Wiessenhorn in the 2. Bundesliga, where he averaged 19 points per game, 6.5 rebounds and 2 assists. In summer 2010, he signed for Plymouth Raiders
of the British Basketball League
.
After one year in England, Töpper signed for Club Ourense Baloncesto of the LEB Plat, Spanish third division.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-born German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. At 6'4" (194 cm) tall, he is a left-handed guard who possesses an ability to shoot the ball and is quick and strong enough to drive past defenders and finish in the lane. He played for the Plymouth Raiders of the BBL for the first half of the 2010-2011 season, before requesting a transfer to the Italian League, which had been a dream of his.
High school career
Toppert attended the Albuquerque AcademyAlbuquerque Academy
Albuquerque Academy is an independent co-educational day school for grades six through twelve located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. It is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest and the New Mexico State Department of Education. Albuquerque Academy is also a member of...
(1998–2001) where he was a two-time USA Today All-American
USA Today All-USA high school basketball team
Each year, USA Today, an American newspaper, awards outstanding high-school basketball players with a place on its male and female All-USA high school basketball teams. The newspaper names athletes whom it believes to be the best basketball players from high schools around the United States...
, McDonald's All-American, and was named New Mexico's 2001 Player of the Year, while earning first team all-city, district, and state honors, while twice being named the District Most Valuable Player. During his varsity career, Toppert was invited to play in the Adidas ABCD Camp and was named the top shooting guard at the Five-Star Basketball Camp.
College career
Toppert went on to star at Cornell UniversityCornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
(2001–2005) where he was a four-year starter under coach Steve Donahue
Steve Donahue
Steve Donahue is an American college basketball coach and the current men's basketball coach at Boston College.A native of Springfield Township, Pennsylvania and a former player at Ursinus College, Donahue previously served as head coach at Cornell University, an assistant coach at Penn,...
. Toppert would become instrumental in helping lay the foundation for a program that had won just five games the year before he arrived to their eventual berth in the 2008 NCAA Tournament
2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball as a culmination of the 2007–08 basketball season...
. He currently sits 9th all-time at Cornell in career scoring with 1,232 points, while he is 2nd in career three pointers made (237) behind Ryan Wittman, and 2nd in all-time games played (108). Toppert is #6 in Ivy League
Ivy League
The Ivy League is an athletic conference comprising eight private institutions of higher education in the Northeastern United States. The conference name is also commonly used to refer to those eight schools as a group...
history in total three-point field goals made.
Professional career
Upon graduation in 2005, Toppert became the first ever player allocated to the NBDL's Albuquerque ThunderbirdsAlbuquerque Thunderbirds
The New Mexico Thunderbirds were a professional NBA Development League minor league basketball team which played from 2005-2011. Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Thunderbirds first played their home games at Tingley Coliseum as the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, then played at the Santa Ana Star...
, coached by former NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Michael Cooper. In just his first season, Toppert helped guide the Thunderbirds to their first ever D-League championship
NBA Development League
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...
. Following his success, Toppert chose to take his talents overseas where he played in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
for the Taranaki Mountain Airs, leading the league in scoring at 22.1 points per game. He then moved on to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, playing in Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
for FC Barreirense
Barreirense
Barreirense is a sports club in Maio Island, Cape Verde. Its football team first title in history since independence was claimed in 2006 and became the latest team that advanced to the national division for the first time.Apart from football there are also in the club basketball, volleyball and...
, where he averaged 12.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game, carrying his club to their first ever appearance in the Cup of Portugal's final four. Similarly, Toppert also led the organization to its first ever appearance in the final eight of the Taca De Liga Cofidis.
Toppert played the 2007/2008 season for the Great Falls Explorers
Great Falls Explorers
The Great Falls Explorers were a team in the Continental Basketball Association founded in 2006. The team played their home games at the Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls, Montana. The franchise was branded 'Explorers' in honor of Lewis and Clark traveled through the area. The Explorers,...
of the CBA
Continental Basketball Association
The Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :...
under former NBA All-Star Scott Wedman
Scott Wedman
Scott Dean Wedman is a former NBA basketball player. He was drafted by Kansas City-Omaha Kings in the first round in the 1974 NBA Draft.-Kansas City Kings:...
. He averaged 16ppg, 3rpg, 3apg and 1.5spg, and was three times named to the honor roll for CBA Player of the Week. In 2009, he was signed by MEG Göttingen of the German Basketball Bundesliga
Basketball Bundesliga
The Basketball Bundesliga — commonly abbreviated BBL — is the highest level league of club basketball in Germany. The league comprises 18 teams. A BBL season is split into a league stage and a playoff stage...
. Toppert subsequently acquired a German passport,as a consequence, he had to assume his family's original surname Töpper. In January 2010 Töpper moved to BC Wiessenhorn in the 2. Bundesliga, where he averaged 19 points per game, 6.5 rebounds and 2 assists. In summer 2010, he signed for Plymouth Raiders
Plymouth Raiders
The Plymouth Raiders, officially called UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders for sponsorship reasons, is South-west England's leading basketball team. Based in the city of Plymouth, they play their home games at the Pavilions arena and have competed in the top-tier British Basketball League since 2004...
of the British Basketball League
British Basketball League
The British Basketball League, often abbreviated to the BBL, is the premier men's professional basketball league in the United Kingdom. The BBL runs two knockout competitions alongside the league championship; the BBL Cup and the BBL Trophy....
.
After one year in England, Töpper signed for Club Ourense Baloncesto of the LEB Plat, Spanish third division.