597 Days to NBA Court

After 597 long days, Nikola Topic finally stepped onto the NBA court. Drafted 12th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2024, the 20-year-old Serb got his much-awaited moment against the Milwaukee Bucks.
“It was simply a unique opportunity to integrate him into our team without having high expectations of his performance,” said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault.

Cancer Diagnosis and Chemotherapy

Just months before his highly anticipated debut, Topic was dealt a devastating blow. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer at the end of October 2024.
“I’m just really happy for him. He’s obviously been through a lot of adversity in his life over the last few years,” Daigneault expressed.

After his cancer diagnosis, he had to undergo chemotherapy and was back on the pitch just four months later.

From Sidelines to Assists

Topic received a standing ovation and thunderous applause, promptly followed by an assist in his first quarter on the court. In 12 minutes, he scored his first NBA points, adding one rebound and another assist to his debut stats.
“Our only expectation for him is that he focuses fully on his health right now,” said Thunder general manager Sam Presti, emphasizing his support for the rookie.

Road to Recovery and Development

With his health now priority, Topic’s immediate future involves gaining game time with the Thunder’s G League team. This will allow him to slowly rebuild his form and potentially rejoin the NBA lineup.
“He has our full support, encouragement and love,” Presti reassured.