Nikola Topic is expected to be one of the first players off the board in 2024. NBA Draft on June 26. However, a recent injury alert On Monday, Topic and NBA team leaders were holding their breath as they waited to see the results of his injury.
The good news is that it avoid serious injury, with his initial diagnosis revealing a sprained left knee that will keep him sidelined for the remainder of the Championship Series, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. There is optimism that Topic will be available to participate in the NBA Global Camp in Treviso, Italy on June 6, where NBA teams will be able to take a closer look and evaluate the Serbian guard.
While participating in Game 1 of the AdmiralBet ABA League Finals with Serbian club KK Crvena zvezda, Topic drove to the basket with his left hand before passing the ball into the corner. At that point, the 18-year-old goalkeeper appeared to collapse to the ground after his left leg gave out. At first it seemed like Topic was fine, but then he felt considerable pain and remained face down on the field for a few minutes before being helped to the locker room.
It should be noted that Topic suffered a left knee ligament injury in January that kept him sidelined for almost four months.
There’s a lot to like about Topic as a draft prospect. Topic is a rangy 6-foot-7 guard who is the most complete and NBA-ready guard in this year’s draft class in terms of his offensive skillset. When the ball is in Topic’s hands, good things tend to happen. Topic is capable of making any pass, and teams have not hesitated to call him the best facilitator at the top of this draft class. He is also a good scorer when he is able to get to the rim with his length.
Alongside French winger Zaccharie Risacher, who is also expected to be a top pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Topic was forced to miss this week’s NBA Draft Combine due to his international club’s season not being completed . It will be interesting to see if this knee sprain that is currently being discussed will have an impact on his immediate draft stock.
Once considered a candidate to go first overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, Topic could end up falling in the lottery due to his left knee injury. Topic, which ranks sixth on ClutchPoints 2024 NBA Draft Big Board 1.0was recently expected to go fourth overall to the San Antonio Spurs in ClutchPoints 2024 NBA Draft 1.0which was released on Monday.
