Nikola Topic, projected to be a top-10 NBA Draft pick, has suffered a partially torn ACL, his agent, Misko Raznatovic, told ESPN.
NEWS: Projected top-10 NBA draft pick Nikola Topic has a partially torn ACL, his agent, Misko Raznatovic, confirmed to ESPN. Topic is at the NBA’s Draft Combine in Italy, where he went through the NBA’s medical examination.
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The Serbian point guard, who stands at six foot six inches and weighs 200 pounds, is looking to become the next European player to rise in the NBA. Players like Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic have taken the league by storm. (RELATED: NBA to Strike Massive Media Rights Deal With Three Networks)
This major injury could become a major obstacle, however. It has yet to be evaluated by NBA doctors who will examine him in the coming days, according to ESPN. Raznatovic told the outlet he does not expect it to hamper his draft prospects due to his age and preliminary evaluations from U.S. medical practitioners. “The doctors who checked the stability of the knee confirmed that is in excellent shape,” the agent reportedly said.
Due to clauses in the most recent Collective Bargaining Agreement, Topic’s medical records will now be disclosed to all teams picking within the top fifteen of the draft, the outlet reported.
The 18-year-old has been heralded for having high basketball IQ, according to GiveMeSport. He averaged 18.6 points per game and 6.9 assists per game, shooting 65% for 2 points and 29% from beyond the arc, while playing for Mega MIS of the Adriatic Basketball Association, ESPN reported.
Only time will tell how this injury will affect Topic’s draft prospects, with the final results scheduled to be aired June 26 through 27 on ABC and EPSN, according to NBA.com.
