Nikola Topic, a 6’7″ guard from Serbia who was expected to be a top-10 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, has suffered an injury that may affect his draft stock. The injury is a partial tear of his left ACL, which was confirmed by his agent during the international NBA draft combine in Italy. Topic initially injured his knee in January and took some time off until April before re-injuring it after just three games back with his club team, Red Star Belgrade. He underwent imaging in Italy to confirm the diagnosis, but the timeline for his return is currently uncertain pending further evaluation in the USA by NBA doctors.
This injury could potentially impact Topic’s availability for the 2024-25 season, depending on the severity of the injury and whether or not surgery is required. Despite this setback, Topic has showcased promising skills as a tall guard, including a crafty dribble game, strong passing ability, and scoring prowess in the paint. However, concerns remain about his jump shot and defense at the NBA level.
Teams considering Topic in the top 10 of the draft will need to weigh the risks associated with his injury against his potential upside as a player. His ability to contribute on the court may be delayed due to his injury, but his talent and skill set could still make him an attractive prospect for teams looking for a versatile guard in the future.