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 urgent news comes after a biopsy revealed the severity of Topic’s condition, leading to immediate treatment.
Presti confirmed that Topic, 20, chose to keep the diagnosis private until he commenced treatment. “He’s been in here, he’s training, he’s working out through this entire process,” Presti stated, emphasizing the challenges that lie ahead. “As we all know, this would be a challenging treatment process to go through.”
Topic was selected as the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft but has yet to make his NBA debut due to a previous torn ACL that sidelined him for the entire 2024-25 season. Earlier in October, the Thunder announced he would be out for four to six weeks following a “testicular procedure,” which was later confirmed to assess for cancer.
With no clear timeline for his return, Presti assured fans that Topic’s medical team is “extremely positive” about his long-term health. “Our only expectations for him are to focus on this,” Presti added, highlighting the team’s unwavering support for Topic during this challenging time.
Topic’s situation is not unprecedented in the NBA; former player Nene faced a similar diagnosis during the 2007-08 season and successfully returned to play for 11 more years. Presti praised Topic’s character, stating, “He is a remarkable, remarkable guy… extraordinarily mature, composed, resilient.”
In previous statements, Topic has reflected on the challenges of his rookie season, sharing insights on resilience and personal growth. “It was hard, you know? I didn’t play a basketball game for a very long time, and that was really hard,” he expressed in a July interview. “But, as you go through that process, you learn something about yourself that you didn’t know you had.”
As Topic embarks on this difficult journey, the Thunder organization remains committed to his well-being and recovery. Fans and players alike are rallying behind him, hoping for a swift and successful treatment process. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
