Nikola Topic is dealing with testicular cancer By Getty
The Oklahoma City Thunder has confirmed that sophomore guard Nikola Topic is suffering from testicular cancer.
The 20-year-old Serbian, who was a first-round NBA Draft pick last year before going on to help the Thunder win the NBA Championship over the Indiana Fever, underwent a testicular procedure in training camp before the 2025/26 campaign in order to do a biopsy.
Thunder General Manager Sam Presti has now confirmed that Topic is suffering with testicular cancer. “So, just I want to give a health update on Nikola Topic. I think as everybody’s aware he had a testicular procedure at the very beginning of training camp,” Presti said.
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“That procedure was necessary and done at MD Anderson in Houston to determine if Nikola was dealing with a case of testicular cancer.
“The procedure was necessary in order to do a biopsy and the results of the biopsy have returned and he is dealing with a case of testicular cancer.
“Now, he has a tremendous group of oncologists both at OU, MD Anderson, and they are extremely positive about his outlook in dealing with this situation. It’s important to note that testicular cancer is the most cured form of cancer among males, but the treatment option for him right now, as recommended by the oncologist, is chemotherapy.”
Topic has already begun treatments but has already been training with the Thunder amid their 5-0 start to the 2025/26 NBA campaign, where the franchise is looking to win back-to-back championships. “Topic didn’t want to make this information public until he’d begun the actual treatments, which he has recently. He’s been in here, he’s training, he’s working out,” Presti continued.
“Through this entire process he’s been able to do that, but as we all know this will be a challenging treatment process to go through, but the team of physicians he has around him, like I said before, are extremely positive about his long-term outlook.
“In terms of our expectations for him or anything like that, our only expectations of him are to focus on this. This is his most important priority. He’ll be back playing basketball when he’s able to, but we’re not putting any type of expectations on that, obviously.”
Topic did not play a single game last season despite picking up an NBA Championship with the Thunder. The Serb played in preseason during the 114-135 win over the Charlotte Hornets, playing 31 minutes, scoring 10 points, four rebounds, and seven assists.
“He has our total support, encouragement, love. The guys on the team have been amazing. Topic is a really remarkable, remarkable guy,” Presti added. “I think everybody knows that. That’s been around him extraordinarily mature, composed, resilient.
“He has all the tools that you could ask for somebody to take on and conquer the situation, and we just want to make that we’re addressing it as we can, but also calling on everybody to recognize that it’s a private matter. He’s got to focus on this right now and not basketball.”
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