2024 NBA Draft: Nikola Topic Leaves KK Mega Basket, Joins KK Crvena zvezda
Nikola Topic, who is in the running for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft due to his positional size, elite rim pressure and playmaking ability, has elected to leave KK Mega Basket to join the KK Crvena zvezda out of the EuroLeague.
This season Topic was putting up incredible numbers for KK Mega Basket at just 18-years-old, averaging 18.5 points, 6.5 assists and 3.9 rebounds in a total of 16 games played. He was playing in the Liga ABA which has some solid competition, but nowhere near the level of competition that the EuroLeague has.
Topic claims a big reason why he elected to switch teams in the middle of the season was due to him wanting to play against more challenging players and one of the best leagues in the world.
The move could be a bit risky, as we could see his production and numbers take a dip and as a result it could hurt his stock. But he said he’s willing to take that risk. From the outside looking in it definitely seems that Topic is mentally ready and confident in this move which is a very positive sign.
Topic will be joining a team that he’s been a lifelong fan of, which is a big goal for many young basketball players. Topic wears jersey No. 44 and he claims that’s due to EuroLeague legend Milos Teodosic, who had a very short stint in the NBA and is considered one of the best playmakers in the entire world. This could be a phenomenal mentor for the young point guard prospect.
Looking strictly from a developmental standpoint, this is probably the best move for Topic to make, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out.
The 6-foot-6 lead guard is one of the rarer productive young players we have seen in recent memory as he's produced at a high level in a professional league with other names like Victor Wembanyama, Alperen Sengun and Luka Doncic.
Topic will have half the year of 2024 to prove why he’s a number one pick candidate in one of the most competitive leagues in the world. He will obviously go through some growing pains, and this could be a move we look at a decade down the line for better or worse.
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