After a one-year recovery from being sidelined due to a torn ACL in late May 2024, the 20-year-old guard is ready to suit up with the defending champions this season.
Topic was a 12th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, but he was forced to miss the entire 2024-2025 season due to surgery.
The 6-foot-6 point guard regretted being sidelined with an injury throughout the Oklahoma City Thunder’s championship run.
“It would probably be even better just if I played, but it was an amazing experience,” Topic said at the preseason media day on Monday.
He has been honing his skills during his offseason and recovery, making sacrifices by not playing for the first time in a long period.
“I did a lot of good things. Just to play the game that I love, it was pretty amazing. It was weird at first. It was like, ‘What do I do now? Do I sleep? Do I eat? When do I do stuff? Do I take a nap?’ But later on, it was all better, and I think it will only get better.”
“Just to be able to play with these guys, who are great, and just to be a part of the team now, it feels amazing,” he added during preseason media day on Monday.
Topic was excited to be with his teammates, having recently won a title, and at the same time learning from the reigning MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The high-prize rookie gained attention for his performance in the Adriatic League before suffering an injury.
He is also the son of Milenko Topic, a Serbian basketball player and coach who won gold at the 1998 FIBA World Championship and silver at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
