Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic has started chemotherapy after being diagnosed with testicular cancer, according to team general manager Sam Presti. Topic, the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, faces this health battle before he even steps on the court in a Thunder uniform during the regular season — he spent last season on the sidelines due to a torn ACL, ESPN reports, however CNN reports that he played in a preseason game this year. Presti described the 20-year-old Serbian’s prognosis as “extremely positive” and said doctors remained optimistic about his long-term prospects.
Topic underwent a biopsy at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston in early October, but he and the team kept the diagnosis a secret until he began treatment. Sports Illustrated reports. Despite the diagnosis, Topic has managed to maintain some practices, but there is no timetable for his NBA debut. Presti stressed that Topic’s only focus should be his recovery, adding: “He’ll come back and play basketball when he’s able to, but obviously we’re not putting any time limits or expectations on that. He has all of our support, encouragement and love.”
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said Topic is handling the situation with notable resilience. “He is doing very well given the circumstances, which is not surprising,” Daigneault said. “Sam mentioned it today, but there is no one at 20 more equipped than him with the maturity, discipline and tenacity to handle a situation like this.”
