As the 2024 NBA Draft Combine takes place in Chicago, one of the player pool’s most notable prospects is competing overseas. Unfortunately, there was a fear of injury.
Serbian guard Nikola Topic made headlines Monday afternoon as the potential top-five pick suffered a lower-body injury during the Adriatic League final.
It took him a while to get up, and when he did, the young goalkeeper was helped back to the locker room after struggling to put pressure on his knee.
The good news is that Topic would have avoided a serious injury. According to ESPN Jonathan GivonyThe initial diagnosis revealed a left knee sprain.
Although Topic is expected to miss the remainder of his current career with Red Star, he is expected to fully participate in NBA preliminary activities next month.
The Pistons were widely expected to take one of Alex Sarr or Zaccharie Risacher in the 2024 NBA Draft. As the Pistons had a high chance of landing one of the top two picks, they were likely to pick up one or the other.
At this point, the Pistons’ potential first pick has become a mystery, given that they landed the fifth overall pick. Although they may be able to take on Topic since they are slightly further back, the point guard position is not where they need it.
Regardless, Detroit should look to draft the best player available. The subject will be a name to watch, as he has been in the top ten since the start of the 2023-2024 NBA season.
In ABA play, Topic averaged 18 points and seven assists while stopping 52 percent of his shots.
