Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic has begun chemotherapy following a confirmed diagnosis of testicular cancer. The announcement was made by Thunder general manager Sam Presti on Thursday, October 30, 2024. Presti stated that Topic opted to keep this information private until he commenced treatment, emphasizing his commitment to training despite the challenges ahead.
Topic, who was selected as the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, faced a setback earlier this season due to a torn ACL that sidelined him for the entire 2024-25 season. In early October, the Thunder announced he would miss four to six weeks following a “testicular procedure,” although details remained undisclosed at that time. Presti revealed that this procedure was crucial in diagnosing Topic’s condition, which was confirmed through a biopsy.
As of now, Topic has yet to make his NBA debut, and the team has not provided a timeline for his return. Presti expressed optimism regarding Topic’s long-term outlook, noting that the young guard’s medical team is “extremely positive” about his prognosis.
“Our only expectations for him are to focus on this,” Presti remarked. “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.”
Topic’s healthcare team includes specialists from both OU and MD Anderson, renowned for their expertise in oncology. Presti highlighted Topic’s resilience and maturity, stating, “He has a tremendous group of oncologists and they are extremely positive about his outlook in dealing with this situation.”
This diagnosis is not unprecedented in the NBA. Former Denver Nuggets player Nene was diagnosed with testicular cancer during the 2007-08 season and returned to play after a 76-day absence, continuing his career for another 11 years.
In a previous reflection over the summer, Topic discussed the emotional toll of missing his rookie season due to injury. He remarked on the importance of finding positives in adversity, saying, “It was hard… I didn’t play a basketball game for a very long time. But as you go through that process, you learn something about yourself that you didn’t know you had.”
Despite the current challenges, Topic concluded that he feels good and is adapting to the demands of the game, even after a significant absence from competitive play. His journey serves as a testament to his strength and determination, qualities that the Thunder organization and his fans continue to rally behind as he faces this new chapter in his life.
