After missing most of his EuroLeague season with a knee injury, Nikola Topic suffered another one against Partizan on Monday, having to be carried off the field.
Fortunately, according to a report from ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, Topic avoided serious injury, suffering a sprained left knee that will likely keep him fit for the remainder of the Adriatic League Finals. Givony said the guard will participate fully in NBA preliminary activities in June.
NEWS: Projected top-10 pick Nikola Topic has avoided serious injury, sources tell ESPN. Initial diagnosis revealed a sprained left knee that likely rules him out of the rest of the Adriatic League final. Expected to be a full participant in NBA preliminary activities in June. pic.twitter.com/Uwz6a7HLWh
– Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 14, 2024
This is great news for Topic, 18, as several serious knee injuries would undoubtedly have a big impact on his 2024 draft stock.
The subject burst onto the scene this year with Mega in the ABA, averaging 18.4 points, 7.1 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game in 12 contests. He then played only four games – two in the ABA and two in the Euroleague with Red Star – before suffering the first knee injury.
Right now, Topic is likely to be a top-five pick in the class as one of the best point guard options. He’s long and has the cerebral EuroLeague style that has dispatched several ball-handlers successful in the league.
By Previous Draft Digest writings on the subject: “He can finish effectively with both hands inside the painted area. The 6-foot-6 point guard is an elite playmaker and is an excellent pick and roll operator. Topic is a very good offensive prospect, which is why he is expected to be drafted so high in the 2024 NBA Draft.”
