Introduction
When discussing the future of Serbian basketball making an impact on the world stage, few names stand out quite like Nikola Topić. The 6 ft 6 (1.98 m), 200 lb (91 kg) guard from Novi Sad, Serbia, has aroused interest thanks to his size, playmaking ability and rapid rise through the ranks of European basketball.
Yet, Topić’s journey has been far from smooth: from a knee injury ahead of his NBA career to a testicular procedure and cancer diagnosis in 2025, his path has included substantial adversity. In this profile, we’ll explore his background, draft story, stats, injuries and health battle—all in one article summarising his progress, current status and prospects.
Early Life & European Rise
Born on 10 August 2005 in Novi Sad, Serbia (then Serbia and Montenegro), Topić attended local club KK Defense before joining the youth system of top Serbian club Crvena zvezda in June 2020.
He made his professional debut for Crvena zvezda at age 16, becoming one of the youngest players in the club’s history to record a point in the ABA League.
Over the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, Topić featured on loan to Serbian side OKK Beograd and then to mega-club loan sides, putting up strong numbers in the Serbian League (KLS) and the Adriatic (ABA) League. For instance, while on OKK Beograd, he averaged 17.8 points, 5.3 assists and 3.8 rebounds in the KLS.
In the 2023-24 season with Mega (on loan) he averaged 18.6 points, 6.9 assists and 3.7 rebounds over 13 ABA games before being recalled to Crvena zvezda in December 2023.
His rapid development earned him the ABA League Top Prospect award in April 2024.
Draft & NBA Entry
Topić entered the 2024 NBA Draft and was selected 12th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Standing at point-guard size but with the height of a wing (6’6”), he was praised for his court vision, passing ability, and potential as a modern “big guard” capable of orchestrating. According to scouting notes, he has a long wingspan (reported ~6’11”) which adds to his defensive intrigue.
However, his entry into the NBA was tempered by serious setbacks.
Testicular Injury & Health Battle
Knee Injury
Before his rookie campaign could even begin, Topić suffered a partially torn ACL in his left knee during the 2023-24 season with Crvena zvezda. This injury caused him to miss his entire first season with the Thunder (2024-25) while recovering and rehabbing.
Testicular Procedure & Cancer Diagnosis
In October 2025, the Thunder announced that Topić had undergone a testicular procedure and would miss at least 4-6 weeks.
Shortly thereafter, a biopsy revealed a diagnosis of testicular cancer. The team confirmed that Topić is undergoing chemotherapy, and emphasised that his health is the priority, with no immediate timetable for his return to the court.
Why This Matters
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Testicular cancer is among the most treatable cancers for men when detected early, which gives optimism for his long-term outlook.
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The combination of recovering from ACL reconstruction + undergoing cancer treatment places him in a unique and challenging rehabilitation category.
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From a basketball perspective, this means his NBA debut is delayed yet again; it also raises questions about how his physical conditioning, mobility and mental resilience will evolve.
Career Stats & On-Court Profile
Since Topić has not yet logged regular-season NBA minutes (as of this writing), we look to his European numbers and potential projection.
European/ABA/KLS Stats
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With OKK Beograd (KLS): 17.8 points, 5.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds (in 19 games) at ~30.3 min per game.
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With Mega (ABA League): 18.6 points, 6.9 assists, 3.7 rebounds over 13 games, 34.1 min per game.
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His shooting, especially from three, has been a concern: for example in 2023-24 he shot approximately 28-30% from deep while playing for Mega.
NBA / Draft & Physical Attributes
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Height: 6’6” (1.98 m), Weight: ~200 lbs (91 kg) (other sources list 216 lbs/98 kg) depending on league listing.
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Draft: 2024, 1st Round, 12th overall by Oklahoma City Thunder.
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Strengths: Pass-first mentality, court vision, ability to orchestrate offence; size for the guard position; youth (born 2005) means high upside.
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Areas for improvement: 3-point shooting consistency, physical strength (especially for NBA defence), experience and decision making under pressure.
Projection & Potential Role
As per fantasy and scouting outlets: “The No. 12 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft… he has unique upside but risk, and the Thunder don’t need another star soaking usage.”
What this implies: Topić may carve out a role as a secondary playmaker/wing-guard who can bring size, facilitate and defend multiple positions, but will need seasoning. Given his health/injury delays, his timeline is elongated.
The Draft Decision & Context
Selecting Topić with pick 12 in 2024 was a calculated risk by the Thunder. They took into account his age (just 19 at draft time), his upside, and his European form. The ACL injury meant his rookie season was always going to be delayed — but the franchise judged the long-term reward as worth the wait.
The case of Topić shows how modern NBA teams weigh upside versus immediate availability: in his case, age and tool-set were prioritised despite injury. It also reflects the increased scouting attention on European guards with size, vision and multi-positional potential.
Health Update & Outlook
The combination of ACL recovery and testicular cancer treatment means Topić is facing one of the more extraordinary rookie trajectories in recent NBA history. Nonetheless, the medical prognosis appears relatively encouraging. For example:
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Team doctors and the Thunder organisation emphasised optimism: “doctors are extremely positive about his outlook.”
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He has reportedly continued to train through parts of his treatment.
From an outlook perspective:
Short term (2025-26 season):
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Likely limited or no regular minutes while he fully recovers both physically and filters back into game shape.
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The Thunder may use him in controlled minutes (pre-season, G-League, load-managed games) when ready.
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His focus will be health and rehabilitation rather than immediate impact.
Medium to long term:
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If he returns healthy and regains mobility, his combination of size and playmaking could make him a valuable two-way guard.
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He may become a “3 & D” guard plus playmaker hybrid, a profile increasingly valuable in today’s NBA.
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Given his age, he still has substantial developmental runway.
Marketing & Brand Potential
From a marketing and fan-engagement perspective, Topić ticks many of the boxes:
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Rising European star, bridging the NBA and European basketball worlds.
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Coming from Serbia, a nation with deep basketball heritage and fan passion.
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His personal story (injury and health battle) adds an element of resilience and human interest.
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If he returns and plays well, he becomes a compelling success story of overcoming adversity.
Why His Story Matters
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International talent pipeline – Topić represents how European prospects are increasingly ready for NBA consideration even at younger ages.
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Health & athlete welfare – His battle with cancer highlights the fragility of athletic careers and the importance of health over sport.
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Long-term development mindset – For teams like the Thunder, patience with upside players is part of modern roster building.
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Injury and comeback narratives – Whether from the ACL or the health issue, Topić’s path shows how setbacks don’t always end promising careers.
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Serbian basketball tradition – He continues the lineage of Serbian guards making their mark in the NBA (e.g., Milos Teodosic, Bogdan Bogdanovic), adding another chapter.
Key Takeaways
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Nikola Topić is a high-ceiling Serbian guard (6’6”) blessed with playmaking ability and size for his position.
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He was drafted 12th overall in 2024 by the Oklahoma City Thunder but has yet to play in a regular NBA season due to a torn ACL and a testicular cancer diagnosis.
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His European performance (KLS/ABA) showed strong numbers: 18.6 ppg & 6.9 apg with Mega in 2023-24, indicating his potential to facilitate and score.
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Health issues have delayed his arrival, but prognosis is positive and his team has pledged full support and patience.
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In the modern NBA, his profile (size, playmaking guard) is highly valued — if he returns well, he could become a core rotation piece.
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For fans, analysts and SEO trackers alike, Topić’s journey blends sport, international development, health resilience and future potential.
Conclusion
Nikola Topić’s story is not just about a promising basketball talent — it is about resilience in the face of adversity, the maturation of international scouting in the NBA, and the long-game approach to developing young players. While it remains to be seen when exactly he will fully launch his NBA career, the signs of his potential remain strong.
For basketball observers, keeping an eye on Topić means monitoring:
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His physical recovery and conditioning (post-ACL + cancer treatment)
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His shooting improvement, especially from three
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His role in the Thunder’s rotation once healthy
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How his “size guard” skill-set develops against NBA calibre competition
When he does step on an NBA court in earnest, the hope is that he’ll not only justify the draft pick but also inspire through his journey. In short: Nikola Topić is a story worth following—for what he might become on the floor, and for what he’s already overcome off it.
