The OKC Thunder select Nikola Topic with the No. 12 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft | NBA on ESPN

The OKC Thunder select Nikola Topic with the No. 12 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft | NBA on ESPN

number one seed in the Western Conference and the owner of roughly a kajillion million billion picks are on the clock and now the pick it is in see this is what s prey is a pro at this sort of thing who is headed to OKC with the 12th pick in the 2024 NBA draft the Oklahoma City Thunder select Nicola topic from belgrad Serbia and Serbia’s Savina Zeda Nicola to pic he made his Euroleague debut at just 16 years old our Jonathan gavone as he says thank you so much and shares this moment with his family Compares him to a lamelo ball a Tyrese halberton he has a partially torn ACL he suffered the injury in January he missed four months then he returned in late April played three games and reinjured the same knee but for him after going through all of that you can imagine just what this moment means as he greets his future teammate on Oklahoma City just so special I mean Nia topic is a player that could run a master class when it comes to executing the pick and roll he’s patient with the ball in his hands he’ll get Defenders on his back he can change speeds he’s not super quick but the way he changes speeds he’s able to manipulate Defenders so well yeah he’s the best passer in the draft and he gains separation not through being explosive as a point guard but doing it with his skill level and you know passing playmaking he’s got it like he’s been injured that’s a problem you’re going to have to wait on him for a while in order for him to get healthy but he’s got a fluid handle really really good passer and let’s bring back in our Jonathan gavone here Jonathan how much time do we expect him to miss and what do you notice about his game Malika I wouldn’t expect to see Nicola toic on an NBA court in the next season uh summer league in a year from now he’s probably the most realistic bet but this is the best pick and roll playmaker in this draft class he can make every read and pass Under the Sun at 6’7 in shoes and 18 years old pocket passes skips Globs weak side strong side he sprays the ball all over the floor with Incredible timing and precision he’s not just a great passer he’s also a powerful force driving to the paint and in skillfully through contact Malika we’re all looking forward to seeing Nicola topic on an NBA floor but we’re going to be a little bit patient while we wait well and we’ve seen rookies miss their entire first year Chad holen Michael Porter Jr Joel embiid for various reasons come to mind but he now joins just a decorated roster of Serbian players in the NBA but say it with me with with me Richard Nicola yic Nicola topic Nicola yic we’re going to be working with all of those on the game broadcast this year baby I’m going to say Nicola that’s what I’m going to say a lot just not to mess it up look we know yic we know about that but ultimately again Serbia is one of those countries that just generate so many talented players and just especially that entire region Lithuania Serbia Croatia it is so impressive the amount of basketball Talent from that region I [Music] [Applause] [Music] NBA is

Watch as Nikola Topic out of Serbia gets drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the No. 12 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

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