First-round pick suffered another major setback
Tell Nikola Subject NBA his career got off to a nightmare start would be one of the greatest understatements of all time.
It was announced Thursday that Topic, drafted 12th by the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2024 NBA Draft, began chemotherapy treatment after being diagnosed with testicular cancer. Thunder General Manager Sam Presti told reporters that doctors are “extremely positive” about Topic’s long-term outlook and that he “will return to play basketball when he is able.”
News of Topic’s diagnosis and treatment comes after he missed the entire 2024 NBA season after tearing his ACL and undergoing surgery. The mental and physical toll of recovering from a torn ACL only to be told you have cancer must be excruciating.
According to ESPNTopic underwent a procedure in early October at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston to obtain a biopsy. After receiving the results confirming he had testicular cancer, the 20-year-old Serb asked the organization not to publicly reveal the diagnosis until he began treatment, Presti said.
Nikola Topic shakes hands with Same Presti before receiving the championship ring before the game against the Houston Rockets on October 21, 2025. (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
Topic became the first player in league history win a title without ever playing in the NBA last season, as the Thunder won the NBA Finals in seven games against the Indiana Pacers.
Collin Gillespie won a title with the Denver Nuggets without ever making the team that season, but unlike Topic, he had a two-way contract and played for the Nuggets that summer. Topic never suited up in Oklahoma City and signed a four-year contract worth $23 million after being drafted.
Topic made his professional debut at the age of 16 in the ABA League in 2022. Two years later, he was named the league’s top prospect with an average of 17.9 points, 6.8 assists and 3.6 rebounds.
He suffered a torn ACL in May 2024, but less than a month later the Thunder called his name with the 12th pick in the NBA draft.
