Nikola Topic was expected this season as the main reinforcement of a formidable reigning NBA champion. Drafted very high in June 2024 (12th choice) by an Oklahoma City franchise particularly skilled in the exercise with its general manager Sam Presti, the Serbian was in fact coming out of a blank 2024-2025 season, due to a serious knee injury.
The former Red Star Belgrade playmaker had a solid preseason match on October 5 against the Charlotte Hornets, with 10 points and 7 assists. Except that a few days later, Nikola Topic was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
“Nothing will be unattainable for him”
Terrible news made official by the Thunder leaders at the end of October. But we learned this Friday, via the player’s agent, that he has completed his chemotherapy and that he is ready to resume training with his teammates. “It’s difficult to define a precise timetable but I sincerely hope that he will be able to get minutes in the G-League [l’antichambre de la NBA]as well as in the NBA, if things continue to go well”, indicates Misko Raznatovic at the microphone of TV Arena Sport.
The agent of the young Serbian basketball player, under contract with OKC until 2027, continues: “Nikola endured all this and is now on the road to recovery. If he stays healthy, and I’m sure he will, everything he’s been through over the last two years will only strengthen his character. If he succeeds in overcoming these obstacles, nothing will be difficult or unattainable for him.”
Our file on the NBA
We are counting on Oklahoma City and the NBA to properly welcome Nikola Topic’s possible first official game in the biggest league in the world, in the coming months.
