Nikola Topic, expected to be a top-10 pick in the NBA draft, suffered a partial ACL tear, his agent, Misko Raznatovic, told ESPN.
NEWS: Nikola Topic, the projected top-10 NBA draft pick, has a partially torn ACL, his agent, Misko Raznatovic, confirmed to ESPN. The topic is at the NBA Draft Combine in Italy, where he passed the NBA medical exam.
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THE Serbian leader, who stands six-foot-six and weighs 200 pounds, is looking to become the next European player to advance in the NBA. Players like Nikola JokicGiannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic have taken the league by storm. (RELATED: NBA to Reach Massive Media Rights Deal With Three Networks)
This major injury could become a major obstacle, however. He still needs to be evaluated by NBA doctors who will examine him in the coming days, according to ESPN. Raznatovic told the outlet he doesn’t expect it to hamper his recruiting prospects due to his age and preliminary evaluations from U.S. doctors. “Doctors who checked the stability of the knee confirmed that it was in excellent condition,” the agent was quoted as saying.
Due to provisions in the most recent collective bargaining agreement, Topic’s medical records will now be released to all teams selected in the top fifteen of the draft, the outlet reported.
The 18-year-old was praised for raising Basketball IQ, according to GiveMeSport. He averaged 18.6 points per game and 6.9 assists per game, shooting 65% from 2-point range and 29% from beyond the arc, while playing for Mega MIS of Adriatic Basketball Association, ESPN reported.
Only time will tell how this injury will affect Topic’s draft prospects, with final results scheduled to air June 26-27 on ABC and EPSN, according to NBA.com.
