After Nikola Jokic, Nikola Jovic, place at Nikola Topic. The Balkans will offer the NBA an electrifying, even at times downright breathtaking, new player. Nikola Topic could legitimately join the race for 1st choice after a very high-flying first part of the season with the Mega MIS club before being repatriated by Red Star Belgrade. His return to his training club was accompanied by several knee injuries, and a number of concerns ahead of June 26.
Nikola Topic has only played six games in 2024 and won't be able to show up in pre-Draft tryouts. Too bad because many were curious to see him play in the Euroleague and compete at the highest European level before taking the plunge. Not yet 19 years old – he should be the youngest player expected in the first round – Nikola Topic has already shown very beautiful things among young people, winning the Euro U18 last summer, the MVP title as a bonus.
His obvious talent, probably the most “natural” of all the candidates, makes us hope for the best. His 18.6 points at 52.4% and 6.9 assists in the demanding Adriatic League in 13 games with Mega MIS are a first confirmation of his ability to dominate among the pros. And unlike some players from the Old Continent, Nikola Topic should have no problem adapting to the physical style expected in the NBA. Well, if and only if his knee problems are just a mishap with bad timing.
Profile
Job : leader
Size : 1m98
Weight : 91 kg
Team : Crevna Zvezda (Serbia)
Stats 2023/24: 14.5 points at 49.8%, 3.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists in 23 games in all competitions with Mega MIS then Crvena Zvezda.
Strong points
– Basketball IQ. Could it really be any different for a leader from Serbia? Nikola Topic is a gifted passer, especially on pick-and-roll, with both hands. The more open NBA game could suit him even more. We're waiting to see if the last few months rubbing shoulders with magician Milos Teodosic in Belgrade have given Nikola Topic more tricks up his sleeve.
– The circle attack. Nikola Topic has quite an impressive background in finishing near the basket, with high-level touch and impeccable technical mastery. He was shooting over 68% near the rim with Mega MIS, well above some of the players considered to be the best finishers of this vintage.
– The physique for his position. At 1m98, Nikola Topic has the size advantage over a number of leaders. Its penetration qualities are also complemented by a quick and quick first step. Add in agility and an upper body that's more built than it seems and you get an athlete who should hold his own in the NBA from day one, even if his wingspan has long been fantasized about (in the same spheres than its size rather than the 2m13 a time mentioned).
Weak points
– Shooting in the perimeter. A good creator for himself or for others, Nikola Topic is more limited as a shooter. His gestures need to be improved and this has been felt this season in terms of percentages (30.6%). Nothing seems prohibitive, however, with a superb 88% on free throws and far more convincing figures in the past. Topic will also have to develop a mid-distance range (floaters, runners, shots).
– Health status. With a partial rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee suffered in mid-May, Nikola Topic will likely have to undergo surgery and miss many weeks. Even more worrying, this injury in the Adriatic League final came less than a month after he resumed following an injury to the same knee which had sidelined him for four months.
– Defensive inconsistency. Despite favorable physical qualities, the Serbian suffers on men. His lateral movements are quite slow, and he struggles with changes of direction, as well as with reading screens. However, he has shown much more positive signs in defense away from the ball, where his size will allow him to defend on the backs.
Comparison
The name of Goran Dragic comes up frequently, which Nikola Topic really appreciates. But there are also sometimes young people Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in him by his ability to use his size at post 1 to attack the circle and distribute.
Prognosis
In the Top 10. Without his knee problems, it is difficult to see how he could have slipped out of the Top 5. All things considered, Nikola Topic could well make certain franchises regret letting him pass, like the Suns and the Kings with Luka Doncic in 2018 …if his physique responds.
