DAYTON - This Friday, the Portland Trail Blazers host the Indiana Pacers, it's the second and final game between the two teams this season. The first was on November 27th, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Located 120 miles away from UD Arena, the home of the Pacers served as a meeting place for the Flyer Faithful to recognize two of their own and to celebrate Dayton Basketball.
 
With the starting line-ups being introduced, UD was represented home and away. Toumani Camara, in his rookie season with the Blazers, was making his eighth career start. Obi Toppin, who the Pacers traded for in July, received a loud ovation from the home crowd. Before the tip, the former Flyers greeted each other at mid-court.

 
Dayton Head Coach, Anthony Grant, was one of many who made the trip to see the embrace and was excited for the match-up. Grant said he was "happy the schedule allowed us to be able to support our guys, let them know that they had some friendly faces in the building that are proud of them and certainly rooting for both of them to have success".
 
Camara and Toppin had more than a few friendly faces cheering them on that night. Hours before tipoff, the UD Alumni Association's Indianapolis Community held a pre-game meet-up across the street from Gainbridge Fieldhouse at O'Reilly's Irish Pub. The Pacers originally provided 100 group tickets — and after selling out — those Flyer fans were given early entry to watch warm-ups. A ticket rep with the Pacers later informed the organization that over 500 tickets were accounted for by Dayton fans.

 

Damon Durbin, who operates the handle @ProLOWD on X, was there and thrilled to be surrounded by Flyers. "It was a really enjoyable experience because people might not be Pacers fans or Blazers fans, but we're fans of Obi and fans of Toumani and fans of Dayton Basketball."
 
Associate Head Coach, Ricardo Greer, was not surprised by the turnout as he, Coach Grant, and other members of the staff watched from the stands. "The community and these fans are second to none. Once you're a Flyer, you're always a Flyer," said Greer.

It was just the second time that Toppin and Camara shared the same floor for an official game. The first, coming almost four years earlier to the date on November 25, 2019, and 4,290 miles away from Indianapolis, at the Lahaina Civic Center, in Hawaii. Toppin was a redshirt sophomore at Dayton, and Camara, a freshman at Georgia.
 
The Flyers topped the Bulldogs that day, 80-61 with Toppin leading the way with 25 points in 27 minutes. Camara played 13 minutes off the bench and scored seven points. The Flyers were 29-2 that year and perfect in the Atlantic 10, winning the conference with an 18-0 record. Toppin was the consensus National Player of the Year and would go on to be selected eighth overall in the NBA Draft by the New York Knicks.
Although they never put on a Dayton uniform together, both have known each other for a long time. The Flyers recruited Camara out of high school and Dayton was in his final three when he decided to start his collegiate career at Georgia. After two seasons with the Bulldogs, Camara landed at UD.

 

A relationship was built between the two as Toppin stayed involved with the program post-NBA draft. Toppin was around during the summer at camp and at TBT supporting his former teammates. His return in the offseason was particularly felt by the players during workouts and pick-up basketball.
 
Coach Grant is proud of their bond, describing it as "pretty special, even though they didn't play together, that relationship, that support. Obi, being able to come in and talk to the guys and then Toumani having the vision of one day being in that uniform and being in the Association." Coach Greer described their connection as a "continued brotherhood," and their greeting at half-court as a "proud, proud moment for us. We know how hard those two worked."
 
Toppin is in his fourth year in the league and started the week leading the NBA in 2-point shooting percentage at 72.8% this season. He's the only qualified player in the league to shoot over 55% from the field and over 40% from three.
 
Coach Grant likes Indiana's system for Toppin as he described the Pacers offense as, "one of the best transition teams, one of the highest scoring teams in the NBA, and that suits his style of play really well."

 
In June, Camara was selected in the second round of the NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns. After an impressive showing during the NBA Summer League, Camara was traded in September to Portland as part of a multi-team deal. Amongst Rookies, he's top five in games played, minutes, offensive rebounds, total rebounds, and steals. 
 
Coach Greer is not surprised by Camara's impact in the league. "He should have been taken in the first round. What he brings is different," said Greer. Coach Grant, who spent time in the NBA as an Assistant Coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder, understands why the Blazers wanted the former Flyer. Grant said, "The staff at Portland have a really good appreciation of what Toumani brings — his versatility from a defensive standpoint, being able to guard so many different positions, and his willingness to do things to help you win games."

 
Flyer fans also appreciate the effort and understand the achievement, as it was seen in pockets of red in multiple levels and sections at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Durbin crossed paths with people who drove from Alabama and Missouri to the game, "to be with the Dayton community, Alumni, fans and have an NBA arena turned into a Dayton-type crowd on a Monday night in November — it was pretty fun".
 
With Toppin in Indy, the Pacers have added University of Dayton Hat Night to their schedule. On Thursday, February 22, tickets purchased through a special offer will come with an Indiana Pacers & University of Dayton Co-Branded New Era Hat.
 
Coach Grant appreciates the connection between the Flyer Faithful and Dayton Basketball. "I'm a Dayton grad. I'm a product of this University. To see people take their time and make the effort to travel, spend their money, get organized, and support our guys — that's a sense of pride," said Grant.
 
That pride will be back on display this Friday, in Portland, Oregon, at the Moda Center, which is 2,421 miles from UD Arena. Although it's across the country, there's a good chance some Flyer fans will be there to watch Camara and Toppin share the court for a third time. Others will support by watching at home or by liking highlights shared online. 
 
Camara and Toppin might no longer wear a UD jersey on the hardwood, but they'll always be connected, and the Dayton fans share that same link because they're all forever Flyers.