OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic has been diagnosed with testicular cancer, according to general manager Sam Presti.
Presti said Topic began chemotherapy after the diagnosis and that doctors are “extremely positive” with his long-term outlook, as reported by ESPN.
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After undergoing a procedure back in early October, Topic received the results and asked that the Thunder not release the diagnosis to the public until he began his chemotherapy treatments.
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The Thunder drafted Topic as the No. 12 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft; however, he sat out during the season to recover from a torn ACL.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic poses for a photo during the NBA basketball team’s media day, Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
“Our only expectations for him are to focus on this,” Presti said. “This is his most important priority. He’ll be back playing basketball when he’s able to, but we’re not putting any time length or expectations on that, obviously. He has our total support, encouragement and love.”
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There is no timeframe as to when Topic will return to the court, but he is able to work out while beginning chemotherapy, according to ESPN.
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