Nikola Topic: Oklahoma City Thunder guard, 20, diagnosed with cancer
Oklahoma City Thunder NBA player Nikola Topic has started chemotherapy after being diagnosed with testicular cancer.
The 20-year-old Serb underwent surgery on October 6 at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston to take a biopsy.
Thunder general manager Sam Presti said doctors are “extremely positive” about Topic’s long-term health.
“The biopsy results are back and he’s dealing with a testicular cancer case,” Presti said.
“Tope didn’t want to release this information until he started the real treatments, which was recently. He’s been here, he’s been training, he’s been working out – through this whole process he’s been able to do it.
“He has a great group of oncologists and they are extremely positive about his approach to dealing with the situation.”
Presti did not give a timescale for when he expected Topic to return, adding: “Our only expectation from him is to focus on this.”
“This is his top priority. He’ll get back to playing basketball when he’s able, but we’re not putting any length of time or expectations on that.”
“He has our full support, encouragement and love.”
Topic was the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, but suffered a severe left knee injury and did not play in the 2024-25 season as the Thunder won the NBA Championship.
2025-10-30 18:56:00
