USA/GER - Europe suits former Lobo Toppert just fine

ZARAGOZA (Liga Endesa/Eurobasket) – When it comes to the melting pot that America is, there are plenty of basketball players with connections to the old continent.

There are some who could, if passports are obtained and everything falls into place, potentially help a national team.

Chad Toppert, who hails from New Mexico and played American college basketball for the Lobos, is such a player.

His roots are in Germany.

Toppert was a success story before he ever turned professional.

The son of Bob and Linda Toppert, who both played basketball for the New Mexico Lobos, and the brother of former Cornell player, Cody, Chad followed in his parents’ footsteps and played in the famous arena, ‘The Pit’.

But he had to make the team as a walk-on, which meant he arrived at New Mexico without a scholarship.

Toppert did earn a spot on the roster and never looked back, going on to become one of the top three-point shooters in the school and the Mountain West Conference's history.

He ended up shooting a scintillating 43.9% from long range at New Mexico.

After graduating in the summer of 2009 with a degree in business, Toppert spent a season in the D-League with Albuquerque before embarking on a career in Europe.

The 27-year-old is now in his third year in Spain’s Liga Endesa with CAI Zaragoza.

While his three-point shooting is down on his first two campaigns with Zaragoza, he’ll be hoping that Sunday marks a change in his fortunes.

He made three of his five attempts from behind the arc and scored a season-high 12 points in an 82-64 triumph over Unicaja Malaga.

Toppert is just happy to be a pro in Spain’s Liga Endesa.

“Definitely the level of basketball here is great and it was great in the D-League, too,” Toppert said to FIBA.com.

“This is one of the greatest leagues in the world and it's great to be a part of. It's a great opportunity.

“I definitely think the game here benefits me a lot as far as the team play goes. I'm a good team player. I'm a pretty tactical player. I look for my shots.

“It's just a great league, and a great atmosphere to play in. I'm fortunate.”

Has the thought of playing for Germany ever come up?

"Absolutely,” he said.

“I actually, a few summers back, went and practiced with them a little bit.

“I was in contact with the coach a little bit but recently, not so much.”

The loudest message that Toppert could send to Germany for a possible call-up would be to have more performances for Zaragoza like his last.

Zaragoza are 8-4 and in fifth place.

If they are in the top eight at the half-way point of the season, the club will earn a place in the Copa del Rey.

“We definitely have a great group of guys,” he said “and we can surprise some people this year.”

FIBA