NBA Draft Scouting Report: Serbia's Nikola Topic
Nikola Topic
Guard | Serbia
Height: 6'6” | Weight: 200 lbs
2024 Draft Age: 18.86
FIBA.com
Prospect Profile
One of the younger prospects in this upcoming class, Topic will only be 18 years old on the night of the 2024 NBA Draft. He’s been on the radar for several years now with what he’s been able to do internationally at a high level, set to be the next quality Serbian prospect to make it. At 6-foot-6, Topic is a big lead guard whose blend of pace, craft, basketball IQ, playmaking and scoring scream NBA appeal.
Given the high level of skill he possesses, Topic is effective in either guard spot. He’s a fantastic passer with a high assist rate and makes very advanced reads. With either hand, he makes some very difficult passes and sees things many others his age wouldn’t. His ability to beat his primary defender allows him to attract help defenders on drives, which he can exploit with drive-and-kick passes to open teammates.
Topic can also score when needed, and has shown the ability to do it efficiently. On multiple stages over the past few years, he’s been a high producer as a scorer on low volume. His combination of 6-foot-6 size, strong frame and speed with the ball in his hands makes him hard to stop in transition and allows him to create advantages nearly at will in the half-court with his quick first step. When he gets to the rim, he finishes well with both hands.
He also has a smooth jumper that should translate well at the next level. Especially with NBA spacing, he should be an even more effective off-ball player when he’s not the primary facilitator.
A very smart prospect, he tends to find himself in the right place at the right time. This is one of the reasons — along with his size for a guard — that he is an effective positional rebounder. Defensively, Topic has the IQ to make the right plays and uses his size well. He’s certainly not a lockdown defender, but has the tools to hold his own on that end moving forward.
Topic is overall just extremely versatile and can do different things on any given night to help the team win. One night it could be a heavier scoring load, the next he could be more of a distributor. Really what it comes down to for Topic is his ability to adjust to the NBA’s increased level of physicality, speed and athleticism. He has the tools to emerge as a really solid player at that level, but there’s certainly still improvement that needs to be made.
One of the best international prospects in this upcoming class, Topic has played very well at junior levels of FIBA for several years now, but has really increased his stock over the past year or so. He projects to be a key piece of Serbia’s senior team longer term as well.
Highlights
Draft Projection
Potential Lottery Pick in 2024 NBA Draft.
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