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Nikola Topic was selected as the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, presented by State Farm. Unfortunately, he was sidelined for the entire 2024-25 season following surgery to repair a torn ACL, an injury he sustained in late May 2024 during his final moments with Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet.
“It would have been even better if I could have played, but it was an incredible experience,” he reflected during the preseason media day on Monday, discussing his time on the injury list while the Oklahoma City Thunder made their championship run.
Now medically cleared, the 20-year-old Serbian point guard has made his return during the NBA 2K26 Summer League.
“I accomplished a lot during this challenging offseason,” Topic shared about his comeback journey. “Getting to play the sport I love was truly amazing. At first, it felt strange. I found myself wondering, ‘What should I do now? Should I rest? Should I eat? When do I engage in various activities? Should I take a nap?’ But as time went on, everything improved, and I believe it will continue to get better.”
His next milestone towards officially debuting with the reigning NBA champions is the training camp.
“It’s incredible to be able to play alongside such talented teammates and to be part of the team now,” he commented on Monday during the media day.
Stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have provided valuable guidance as he embarks on his professional journey.
“Everyone offers insights and advice that can be beneficial,” Topic appreciated his teammates’ support. “I’m looking forward to getting to know them better, contributing to their development, and helping our team secure as many victories as possible.”
