Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic, who was part of OKC’s NBA championship team last season, has been diagnosed with cancer.
Thunder general manager Sam Presti revealed Thursday that Topic had been diagnosed with testicular cancer. He is only 20 years old.
“So, I want to give an update on Nikola Topic’s health. I think, as everyone knows, he had testicular surgery at the very beginning of training camp,” Sam Presti said. “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 perform a biopsy, and the biopsy results were returned, and he is facing a case of testicular cancer.”
According to Presti, doctors are optimistic that Topic can beat cancer. He underwent chemotherapy.
“He has a wonderful group of oncologists, both at OU and MD Anderson, and they are extremely positive about his prospects,” Presti said. “It’s important to note that testicular cancer is the most cured form of cancer in men. But the treatment option for him right now… is chemotherapy.”
Nikola Topic is in his second season in the NBA after being drafted 12th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. He missed all of last season due to a torn ACL.
According to Presti, Oklahoma City’s only focus right now is Topic’s health.
“Top didn’t want to make this information public until he did the actual treatments, which he did. He’s been here, he’s training, he’s training,” Presti said. “But as we all know, it will be a difficult treatment process to follow.
“Our only expectations of him are to focus on that. That’s his biggest priority. He’ll come back and play basketball when he can, but we don’t have any expectations on that, obviously.”
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