By the Eurohoops team / [email protected]
After attracting the attention of everyone in Europe and the United States, with hundreds of scouts coming to watch him play in recent years, Nikola Topic has declared his participation in this year’s NBA draft and is expected to be selected among the 10 best players in the NBA. the 2004 rookie class.
However, as reported by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, his current state of health may condition his selection. According to what his agent Misko Raznatovic told the American prospect expert, the 18-year-old Serbian talent has a partially torn ACL.
Additionally, participating in this year’s Draft Combine in Italy following the conclusion of the Adidas EuroCamp in Treviso, Red Star of ZvezdaThe jewel of has undergone the NBA medical examination. In the coming days, Givony adds, he will travel to the United States to be examined by NBA doctors and better understand the situation.
“Doctors who checked the stability of the knee confirmed that it is in excellent shape”Misko Raznatovic told ESPN and Jonathan Givony, adding that “He doesn’t expect the injury to have a major impact on (Nikola) Topic’s stock due to her youth and early feedback from American doctors who examined her MRIs”.
Nikola Topic’s 2023-24 season hasn’t been the most stable in terms of injuries, suffering a left knee injury in the EuroLeague derby against Partizan and missing four months of action. He was injured again in the first match of the ABA League Finals, again against Partizan.
Part of Red Star of ZvezdaYouth system since 2020, he has particularly shined with Mega Basket since his arrival in 2023. In this year’s ABA League, he averaged 15.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 5.9 assists between the two clubs. He also made his EuroLeague debut, playing against Fenerbahçe and Partizan Belgrade in rounds 18 and 19.
NEWS: Nikola Topic, the projected top-10 NBA draft pick, has a partially torn ACL, his agent, Misko Raznatovic, confirmed to ESPN. The topic is at the NBA Draft Combine in Italy, where he passed the NBA medical exam.
HISTORY: https://t.co/j2NjnE38Kl pic.twitter.com/BqGWygrm9b
– Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 5, 2024
PHOTO CREDIT: Turkish Airlines EuroLeague