Nikola Topić has had a long journey to the NBA, but the 2024 first-round pick has now made his debut.
Topić, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in October, appeared for the first time Thursday at the Oklahoma City Thunder and received a standing ovation from the home crowd.
Topić scored his first NBA basket moments after entering the game.
Sam Presti, general manager of the Thunder revealed Topić’s cancer diagnosis in October, noting that his biopsy following a testicular procedure earlier that month had tested positive for cancer. Topić began chemotherapy shortly after diagnosis.
He had appeared in the Thunder’s Summer League and preseason games and was expected to make his debut in the fall before the diagnosis.
Topić also missed his entire rookie season due to a Torn ACL he suffered before the draft. The Thunder selected him 12th overall in 2024.
The Serbia native made his G League debut for the Oklahoma City Blue on Tuesday against the Sioux Falls Skyforce, recording seven points and seven assists in 16 minutes of action.
“We are all collectively excited to have him back playing basketball,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. told reporters. “I know he missed it a lot, and it’s so good for him mentally to get his feet back under him.”
Daigneault also called it an “incredible achievement” and praised Topić’s “resilience.”
“A great success,” said Daigneault. “I can’t say enough about him as a guy, his mental toughness, his maturity, his resilience. … He hasn’t played much basketball in the last couple of years, and he comes out of a year-long rehab and immediately has a surprising diagnosis and goes through three rounds of chemotherapy. So for him to get back on the court is just an incredible accomplishment, and we’re incredibly happy for him.”
