THE Oklahoma City Thunder made NBA history in more than one way on Sunday night. Not only OKC wins the 2025 NBA Finals in a thrilling seven-game series against the Indiana Pacers, but they also had one player make league history in a way that may never be repeated. Serbian point guard Nikola Topic officially became the first player to win an NBA title before stepping foot on the court in a game.
Topic, who was drafted No. 12 overall by the Thunder in the 2024 NBA Draft, spent the entire season on the sidelines with a partially torn ACL. Although he never suited up in the Thunder’s playoff run, he remained on the active roster and was a part of the team throughout the campaign. The 19-year-old now enters the NBA quiz books as true outlier among the rookies to win their first championship.
According to a HoopsHype article on BlueSky, the timing has been officially confirmed.
“According to our research, Nikola Topic would be the first player to win an NBA title before playing an NBA game.”
The subject is no stranger to big moments. Before arriving in the NBA, he won the 2023-2024 ABA League Top Prospect Award, averaging 15.1 points and 5.9 assists in 18 appearances. The Serbian striker helped Red Star win the Adriatic League title before suffering a knee injury in May 2024, just weeks before being drafted.
After having undergone surgery in July 2024, The subject has been ruled out for the entire 2024-25 NBA season. Although he has never logged a single minute, his NBA career already includes a championship ring. League rules allow all registered players to receive rings, and Topic has remained engaged with the team during rehabilitation and travel, providing a supportive presence behind the scenes.
OKC’s title itself was historic. They became the second-youngest team in NBA history to win the championship and did so behind a core of rising stars. Adding a fully healthy subject next season will only increase their ceiling, a defending champion who still has his beginnings ahead of him.
Topic’s return in 2025-26 offers a rare scenario, an NBA champion who has never stepped foot on the court. With an international pedigree and elite on-court vision, the Thunder believe he can become a key contributor in future seasons.
As Oklahoma City looks to build a dynasty, one thing is certain, Topic’s name will be attached to one of the most singular chapters in NBA history.
