Nikola Djurisic was perhaps the most recognizable NBA draft name for KK Mega Basket heading into the season due to his buzz in the 2023 NBA Draft. But Nikola Topic is quickly supplanting him among the team’s top prospects for the 2024 NBA Draft.
Subject is a 6-foot-5 true point guard or primary initiator.
The fact that he just turned 18 in August and is playing in a professional league makes his command of the court on the offensive end even more impressive.
While he may not have the most athletic profile, that doesn’t stop him from constantly putting pressure on the defense and constantly penetrating the lane.
Topic does this most effectively when operating on ball screens where he displays true craftsmanship and nuance in how he attacks the defense.
His isolation play is a bit limited due to the lack of explosiveness but his ability to change pace and his slower, methodical style suit him well.
This guile is reflected in the way he gets his buckets around and his willingness to play through contact and ability to finish with his left hand adds to his effectiveness.
Topic shot 55% overall in all of his games last year and has topped 64% in two games this season while averaging 26.5 points per game.
Right now, the jump shot looks just good enough for teams to respect. He was 37 percent correct on 3.5 attempts last season, but is just 3 of 10 so far this year.
The stat that gives his shooting the most long-term promise is actually free throw percentage where he has consistently hovered around 80% for his entire young career.
Topic is a very good passer, but you have to watch the number of turnovers he commits each game.
In the two matches this season, he already has 12.
Overall, the offensive sell for Topic is pretty clear, but the defensive end will leave you wanting more.
He is young and showed some nice rotational box exits and even vertical contests at the edge, but the awareness and energy spent on this part of the game must improve.
While the topic has caught the attention of many NBA Draft scouts, Djurisic is still on their radar for 2024.
The almost 15 points per game over two games is good to see, but it’s the 4 of 10 from beyond the arc that’s most important for the 19-year-old to continue.
Djurisic has always been considered a great shooter on the wings – and make no mistake, the jump shot looks good – but the numbers haven’t always borne that out in the past.
If he can maintain a strong start throughout the season and combine that with his positive positional passing, he offers a very intriguing offensive prospect.
While that offensive impact is his calling card, he still needs to find a way to at least become defensively neutral and specifically eliminate possessions where he allows a shot to pass and then gets behind the driver.
The combination of Topic and Djurisic makes KK Mega Basket a must-have team to follow throughout the 2024 NBA Draft process.
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