The Oklahoma City Thunder are entering training camp as defending NBA champions, and while much of the spotlight remains on reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, it was rookie guard Nikola Topić who drew rave reviews during their first practices together.
In a recent video shared by the Thunder on YouTube, Gilgeous-Alexander spoke glowingly about the 20-year-old Serbian guard’s instincts and poise.
“He just understands how to play basketball, if I had to sum him up in one sentence,” SGA said. “He sees the game. He’s poised. He has size. He’s strong. He doesn’t step outside of what he knows he can do. Very solid. I would say his gift is that he just sees the floor, sees the game, sees the next possession. That’s hard for players to get that natural feel for the game than seeing the game. Really good player.”
Topić, the Thunder’s 2024 lottery pick, missed his entire rookie season after suffering a partially torn ACL prior to the draft. He returned to action in the 2025 Summer League, where he showed flashes of his playmaking ability, but training camp has been his first extended run alongside Oklahoma City’s core.
Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t the only one impressed. Forward Chet Holmgren also praised Topić’s vision and decision-making:
“It really stands out the way he sees the game even without the ball in his hands. The way he cuts, finds open space, and gets the ball out of his hands early. It’s impressive from a young guy.”
Veteran center Isaiah Hartenstein added that Topić “does a great job of controlling the pace, pushing the ball, and making the right reads,” while guard Cason Wallace called him “fun to play with” because of his ability to minimize mistakes.
For a Thunder team already rich in young talent, Topić’s emergence could be another step toward sustained contention. His size (6’6”), court vision, and unselfish style make him a natural fit in head coach Mark Daigneault’s system, which emphasizes pace, spacing, and ball movement.
With Gilgeous-Alexander locked in as the franchise cornerstone and the Thunder aiming to defend their first championship, Topić’s development could provide the team with yet another dynamic playmaker in their rotation.
Topić is expected to make his preseason debut against the Charlotte Hornets, marking his first official game action with the Thunder’s main roster. For now, the early reviews from the team’s MVP say it all: Oklahoma City may have found yet another gem to add to their already loaded core.
