Tragic news has emerged from the Oklahoma City Thunder organization, revealing that Nikola Topic, the 19-year-old who was the 12th overall pick in the 2024 Draft, has been diagnosed with testicular cancer. The young athlete has begun chemotherapy to combat this serious illness.
Health Challenge for Oklahoma City’s Rising Star
Forced to miss his entire rookie season in the NBA due to an ACL tear just before the 2024 Draft, Nikola Topic is now confronting a new battle against testicular cancer. This revelation was confirmed by Thunder General Manager Sam Presti, who shared that Topic underwent surgery shortly before the franchise’s training camp commenced this past summer. The surgery was performed in response to suspicions raised by medical specialists monitoring Topic’s health.
Assurances and Support from the Thunder Organization
Despite the daunting diagnosis, Presti expressed optimism, emphasizing that testicular cancer is one of the more treatable forms of cancer. Topic is under the care of healthcare professionals who are particularly confident in his prognosis, with treatment taking place between Oklahoma City and Houston. Notably, former NBA center Nene faced a similar health challenge but successfully returned to the league after his recovery, providing a hopeful precedent for Topic’s future.
The focus now remains on Topic’s health, with the entire basketball community rallying in support during this difficult time.

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