URGENT UPDATE: Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic has officially begun chemotherapy following a confirmed diagnosis of testicular cancer, as announced by general manager Sam Presti on October 30, 2023. This news comes as a significant development for the 20-year-old rookie, who was the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Presti stated that Topic wanted to keep his health matters private until after starting treatment. “He’s been in here, he’s training, he’s working out through this entire process,” Presti told reporters. “This would be a challenging treatment process to go through.” Topic’s determination to remain active during this difficult time highlights his resilience.
Initially sidelined for the entire 2024-25 NBA season due to a torn ACL, Topic’s health complications resurfaced when the Thunder announced earlier this month that he would miss four to six weeks following a “testicular procedure.” Presti later clarified that this procedure was crucial for diagnosing the cancer.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Presti emphasized that Topic’s doctors are “extremely positive” about his long-term prognosis. “Our only expectations for him are to focus on this,” he remarked, reinforcing the team’s unwavering support for Topic during this battle.
“He has a tremendous group of oncologists both at OU and at MD Anderson, and they are extremely positive about his outlook,” Presti added.
Topic has yet to make his NBA debut, and as he navigates his treatment, there is currently no timeline for his return to the court. His situation mirrors that of former NBA player Nene, who faced a similar diagnosis during the 2007-08 season but successfully returned to play for another 11 years.
“He’s a really remarkable guy,” Presti continued. “I think everybody knows that. Extraordinarily mature, composed, resilient. He has all the tools that you could ask for somebody to take on and conquer the situation.”
Reflecting on his past year, Topic shared his thoughts on missing his rookie season due to injury. “It was hard, you know? I didn’t play a basketball game for a very long time, and that was really hard,” he remarked in a July video posted by the Thunder. “But you learn something about yourself that you didn’t know you had. You didn’t know how strong you were.”
As Topic begins this new chapter in his health journey, the basketball community rallies around him, offering support and encouragement. Fans and teammates alike are hoping for his swift recovery and return to the game.
The Thunder organization remains focused on Topic’s health, prioritizing his well-being above all else. As updates emerge, the team and its supporters will be watching closely, hoping for positive news in the days ahead.
