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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic is undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with testicular cancer, the team announced Thursday.
Topic, a first-round draft pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, underwent a procedure earlier this month to arrive at a proper diagnosis. General Manager Sam Presti confirmed with reporters Thursday that the results of that procedure came back and confirmed that the 20-year-old Serbian basketball player had cancer.
Nikola Topic poses for pictures with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being selected in the first round by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2024 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on June 26, 2024. (Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports)
“He had a testicular procedure at the very beginning of training camp. That procedure was needed, and done at MD Anderson in Houston, to determine if Nikola was dealing with a case of testicular cancer. The procedure was needed to do a biopsy and the results of the biopsy have come back and he’s dealing with a case of testicular cancer,” Presti said.
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“He has a tremendous group of oncologists… and they are extremely positive about his approach to handling the situation. It is important to note that testicular cancer is the most curable form of cancer among men, but the treatment option for him right now, recommended by the oncologist, is chemotherapy.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, testicular cancer is not a “common type of cancer” but is very treatable. It typically affects men aged 15 to 45, but can occur at any age.
Nikola Topic (44) of the Oklahoma City Thunder starts shooting against the Utah Jazz in the first half of their NBA Summer League game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on July 8, 2025. (Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
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“Topic did not want to make this information public until he had begun the actual treatment that he has been receiving recently,” Presti continued. “He’s been in here, he’s training, he’s working through this whole process — he’s been able to do it. But as we all know, this is going to be a challenging treatment process to go through.”
Presti did not offer a timeline for Topic’s recovery, but emphasized the team’s support for him.
“Our only expectation for him is to focus on this – this is his number one priority. He’ll be back playing basketball when he’s able, but obviously we’re not putting any expectations on that.”
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic (44) drives up court against the Charlotte Hornets in the first quarter at the North Charleston Coliseum in North Charleston, South Carolina on October 5, 2025. (Arthur Ellis/Imagn Images)
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Topic, the 12th overall pick in 2024, missed his entire rookie campaign while recovering from a torn ACL. He played in the summer league this year and started a preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets with 10 points and 7 assists in Oklahoma City’s 135-114 win.
