Nikola Topic, OKC Thunder
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Nikola Topic completed his chemotherapy and his ready to make a return to the court.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic continues to make progress after his cancer diagnosis.
Topic’s agent, Misko Raznatovic, confirmed that the Thunder guard has successfully completed chemotherapy for testicular cancer. “The chemotherapy was successfully completed, and he is now returning to the training process, although he was active during the therapy as well,” Raznatovic told Arena Sport TV. “It’s hard to pinpoint a timeline, but I sincerely hope he gets minutes this year, not only in the G League but on the NBA floor as well, if everything goes the way it is right now.”
The Thunder selected Topic with the 12th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Topic has his sights on making his NBA debut and that could happen this season.
Nikola Topic’s Cancer Diagnosis
Bleacher Report
Nikola Topić has completed chemotherapy after being diagnosed with testicular cancer at the beginning of the season
Topic’s agent, Miško Ražnatović, says he hopes Nikola can return to the G League and NBA this season
(Via @SportalSrbija)
In October of 2025 Topic underwent a procedure to get a biopsy. When the results came back the results showed he had cancer. Thunder general manager Sam Presti said that Topic did not want the information to go public until he started chemotherapy treatments.
“Our only expectations for him are to focus on this,” Presti said when they announced Topic’s diagnosis. “This is his most important priority. He’ll be back playing basketball when he’s able to, but we’re not putting any time length or expectations on that, obviously. He has our total support, encouragement and love.”
Topic has faced numerous setbacks recently. He did not play during the 2024-25 season due to surgery for a torn ACL. While he has faced some tough breaks in his career, Topic is determined to get back to 100 percent and help his team out any way possible.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault was pleased to see Topic in such good spirits when the diagnosis was made. “He’s doing great given the circumstances, which is unsurprising,” Daigneault said. “Sam [Presti] mentioned this today, but there’s no one at 20 years old more equipped with the maturity and discipline and toughness to handle a situation like this than he is.”
Nikola Topic Gearing up for a Return
Going into the 2024 NBA Draft, Topic was a sought after prospect. In 2023, he was named FIBA U 18 European Championship MVP. He’s also a two-time ABA League champion and a Serbian League champion and Serbian Cub winner.
Topic has had success overseas and that’s a big reason why the Thunder selected him in the first round. He has been playing professional basketball since 16 and he has gained a lot of experience.
Before receiving the cancer diagnosis, Topic did play in the Summer League. He appeared in six games and averaged 10.8 points, 5.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds. Topic had a game where he had 18 points and six assists against the Brooklyn Nets.
While there is no timetable on his return, Topic is putting the work in to make sure that he’ll be ready to step out there on the court. For him to continue to be motivated and have a positive mindset through all that he’s been through says a lot about the type of person he is. When he makes his NBA debut, it will be a moment he’ll never forget.