The Serbian basketball talent Nikola Topic, teammate of Isaiah Hartenstein at NBA champions Oklahoma City Thunder, is suffering from testicular cancer.
As general manager Sam Presti announced on Thursday, the 20-year-old has already started chemotherapy. Topic underwent a biopsy at the beginning of October, which revealed the disease.
Presti said doctors are “extremely positive” about Topic’s long-term prognosis. “We just expect him to focus on that. That’s his number one priority. He’ll get back to playing basketball as soon as he’s able, but of course we’re not setting any deadlines or expectations for him,” he continued.
Presti therefore left it open when the playmaker could make his debut for OKC in the NBA. Topic was selected 12th overall in the 2024 draft by Oklahoma, but missed last season due to a torn ACL. Before the last European Championship, he had taken part in the preparation as a member of Serbia’s extended squad, but was omitted before the tournament.