Topic Nikola
Guard | Serbia
Height: 6’6″ | Weight: 200 pounds
2024 draft age: 18.86
FIBA.com
Prospect profile
One of the youngest prospects in this upcoming class, Topic will only be 18 years old on the night of the 2024 NBA Draft. He has been on the radar for several years now with what he has been able to do at the international level at a high standard, poised to become the next quality Serbian hope to succeed. At 6-foot-6, Topic is a big playmaker whose blend of pace, savvy, basketball IQ, playmaking and scoring screams NBA appeal.
Given the high skill level he possesses, Topic is effective at both guard positions. He is a fantastic passer with a high assist rate and very advanced reads. With either hand, he makes some very difficult passes and sees things that many others his age wouldn’t see. His ability to beat his main defender allows him to draw help from defenders on drives, which he can exploit with drive-and-kick passes to open up his teammates.
Subject can also score points when needed and has shown the ability to do so effectively. On multiple stages over the past few years, he has been a big producer as a low-volume scorer. His combination of 6-foot-6 size, strong frame and speed with the ball in his hands makes him difficult to stop in transition and allows him to create advantages almost at will in the half-court with his quick first step. When he gets to the rim, he finishes well with both hands.
He also has a smooth jumper that should translate well to the next level. Especially with NBA spacing, he should be an even more effective off-ball player when he’s not the primary facilitator.
Very intelligent prospect, he tends to be in the right place at the right time. This is one of the reasons – along with his size for a guard – why he is an effective positional rebounder. Defensively, Topic has the IQ to make the right plays and uses his size well. He’s certainly not a lockdown advocate, but he has the tools to defend himself in this regard.
Subject is extremely versatile overall and can do different things every night to help the team win. One night it might be a heavier scoring load, the next he might be more of a distributor. In reality, what matters to Topic is his ability to adapt to the NBA’s increased level of physicality, speed and athleticism. He has the tools to become a really solid player at this level, but there’s definitely still room for improvement.
One of the top international prospects in this upcoming class, Topic has played very well at the FIBA junior levels for several years now, but has really raised his stock over the past year. He also projects to become a key part of Serbia’s senior team in the long term.
Strong points
Projection project
Potential lottery pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Big Picture 2024
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