He has not played a single minute this season It won'tIn the NBA finaland is not even known for the general public. In fact, I could walk today before the match through the surrounding Paytcom Center de Showborn paisan dressed and would go unnoticed, but can become the Third younger player in the League to conquer the champion ring. This is the case of Nikola TopicSerbian base of the Thunder of 1.98 my 19 yearswhich will not meet the 20s until August 10.
Nikola Topic, at a press conference with the Thunder.
Today, date on which the NBA finals begin, Topic is 19 years and 292 days. And considering that these will end at the latest on June 22 if the series for the title reaches the seventh game, In case of conquering the championship the Thunder the Serbian would be the third youst in history to achieve itovercoming the Talen Horton-TuckerAmerican escort of 1.93 m that conquered him with the Lakers In 2020 with 19 years and 321 days.
Milicic and Kumina, the youngest champions
The two players who won the ring with less age were Darko Milicic y Jonathan Kuminga. The first, Serbian pivot of 2.13 m, conquered him in 2004 with Detroit Pistons (who chose him with the number 2 of the draft, only behind LeBron James) when he had alone 18 years and 361 days. And the second, 2.01 m Congolese, won the championship with the Golden State Warriors In 2022 when I had 19 years and 253 days.
Darko Milicic was champion with the Pistons in his year in Rookie.
The record that will beaten Nikola Topic in case Oklahoma conquer the title will be to be The youngest in history who does it without having played a single game throughout the season. And not because your coach, Mark Daigneaultthere is no trusted of him. If not because after having been chosen by the Thunder with No.12 in the 2024 draft suffered a partial breakage of the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee (LCA) that forced him to operate already say goodbye to the season.
Sports trajectory
Topic began playing basketball in the KK Defense de Novi Sadhis hometown, until in June 2020 he was recruited by the quarry of Red starwith which he debuted in ABA with 16 years, reaching debut at the Euroleague with 16 years and 253 days.
In 2023 he signed his first professional contract and was ceded to KK Mega Basketwhere it averaged 18.6 points, 6.9 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 13 games. And in 2024 He won the ABA League Top Prospect Award After averaging 17.9 points, 6.8 assists and 3.6 rebounds.
Nikola Topic, with the Thunder's shirt with Sam Presti, Oklahoma General Manager.
The Serbian, which This season has earned 4.9 million dollars In the Thunder, it has a guaranteed contract for The 25-26 campaign for 5.1 millionand the franchise has the option of extending it for campaigns 26-27 (5,4) y 27-28 (7.4). And, if it is still linked to the team until then, it would have for the 28-29 A qualified offer (Qualifying Offer) of 11 million.
The Serbian base is likely can reappear with those of Oklahoma in the Summer League next July, either in Salt Lake City or then in Las Vegas. By then, if the Thunder have won the final to the Pacers, already The precious ring could show off in his hand of NBA champion.
