Thunder guard Nikola Topić is expected to miss an extended period of time after being diagnosed with testicular cancer.
Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti announced that the second-year guard, just 20 years old, had a biopsy and is undergoing treatment. The team announced earlier this month that Topić had undergone testicular surgery.
“This procedure was necessary and performed at MD Anderson in Houston to determine if Nikola was dealing with a case of testicular cancer. The procedure was necessary to do a biopsy, and the biopsy results came back, and he is now dealing with a case of testicular cancer,” Presti said.
Topić was selected in the first round (No. 12 overall) of the 2024 NBA Draft ahead of current rotation-level contributors such as Jared McCain, Kel’el Ware and Dalton Knecht.
The Thunder reported that Topić is in good hands with his medical team and that the problem does not appear to be life-threatening.
“He has a tremendous group of oncologists at both OU (Health) (and) MD Anderson,” Presti continued. “They are extremely positive about his attitude to this situation. It is important to note that testicular cancer is the most curable form of cancer in men, but the treatment option for him at present, recommended by the oncologist, is chemotherapy.”
Topić hasn’t played a minute in the NBA despite being in the league for over a year, although he did have some action in the Summer League.
The Thunder draft pick tore the ACL in his left knee right after the 2024 NBA Draft while playing overseas in the Adriatic League Finals for Red Star.
Topić averaged 10.8 points, 5.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds in six Summer League games.
Oklahoma City had no reason to rush him back from injury, as they were loaded with talent last season en route to a seven-game NBA championship victory over the Indiana Pacers.
It is unclear when Topić will be able to return to basketball with the team.
“He’ll come back and play basketball, you know, when he’s able to, but we’re not putting any expectations,” Presti added.
Oklahoma City is once again among the favorites to win the NBA Finals as they look to defend their championship and are atop the league standings at 5-0 to start the year.
