Is Nikola Topic a #1 Pick Contender? | First Look 

A player like Topic is exactly what the Spurs really need. Topic and Wemby could be the next great duo in the future. Will root for the kid!

Nikola Topic is what the spurs need aggressive offensive weapon with Pick N roll genius. Perfect for Wemby

Update: From the end of December 2023, he is back to Red Star (Crvena zvezda) Belgrade, where he will play in the European champions league. So fewer minutes for him, tougher competition, meaning a risk for the draft. However, he underlined that he is aware of the challenge. The good side is that he will plat beside Miloš Teodosić, probably one of the best playmakers from Europe in history, a pure magician with a ball - a lot to learn from him...

Keep in mind that topic is playing as a 18 yr old vs grown men and he is the one standing out. Once he gets to the nba he will have a lot more room to drive and facilitate. Situation is everythin, if he ends up in detroit he will be out of the league in 5 years, if he gets drafted by the spurs he will be a hall of famer.

Really would love him on the spurs

He reminds me of Manu, the downhill plays, the control of tempo and the passing ability. He's not there yet as a shooter, but that doesn't matter at his age. Spurs must be all-in on this guy

we need a team full of nikolas in the nba

Leads the Adriatic League in Assists. Popovich: YES!

Love the mainly voice overs, gives me the ability to just lesson, or watch

A backcourt of Topic and Vassell would be nice to watch

a) he's likely actually 6'5" even with that giraffe neck of his b) he's right up there with Doncic as the best passing prospect we've seen in decades. He's a passing prodigy

He got back to Red Star at mid season (yesterday as of writing this comment) and he'll play with European legend Milos Teodosic (I'm sure many of you have heard about him when he was playing in LA Clippers), so that can only be beneficial to him, as he's going to have arguably the best mentor in this game for his position. As for draft position, if he wins trophies with Red Star this season (Radivoj Korac Cup, ABA League and Serbian League), I'm sure he's going to be in top 5, but top 10 is guaranteed for him

Idk about those measurements tho. He doesnt look 6'7 nor does he look like he has a 7' wingspan. Usually dudes with his build (long neck, sloped shoulders) dont have great length. Doesnt mean I dont like him as a prospect, just skeptical of those measurements. The way he attacks in straight lines and finishes reminds me of tony parker.

He might as well start discussing sponsorship with HEB and learn about breakfast tacos. That's a future Spurs great 😅

It should be emphasized that Nikola was born in 2005, that is, he is only 18 years old. The aggravating circumstance, which can be seen on most of these video clips, is that he played half the season with a mask on his face and a broken nose. Also, a big bonus in his basketball upbringing is the pedigree he has, which refers to his father Milenko Topić, a famous Serbian basketball player, and now a coach, who has won many famous trophies in his career, both on a team and personal level.

2:24 ... "navigating tight spaces through the paint is absolutely a tremendous-skill. Dribble penetration is something not every player has, but if He cannot pull-up on a dime and 💦 ... it is a Tough-Life in the paint when opposition sees that's all you got. You will get banged-up pretty good, and those "tight-spaces" ... get TIGHTER. The Big-Guard-penetrators ... there is always somebody bigger down there. Dude has to be Pull-Up-Threat or he's going to be limited.

Spurs are absolutely tanking for this guy. Him, Wemby, Vassell, and Sochan all growing up together could be a dynasty.

Good breakdown thanks

He is fast and developt basics to prrfection. He will be great in NBA.

Spurs would be the perfect destination for him. With their combination of player development, desperate need for a point guard, and the potential facilitator role this guy could play for Wemby, it’s a match made in heaven.

Wemby & Topic will be the Future Spurs duo for Coach Pop👍

If this guy can improve his outside shooting...😮😮😮Superb...

Welcome to Okc⚡

good video

Homie tuff💪🏾

Body type and plays like Rod Strickland who was a great penetrator and passer. Topic has nice shooting form which is backed up by his ft%. But, he has bad habit of tilting head back at the peak of his jumper. Wemby has this habit too. You wanna keep head still throughout jumpshot to keep depth perception accurate from beginning of jump-shot to end. Think if he fixes this issue and gets stronger thighs and glutes, he would have a more stable and improved jumper from three. Also, stronger legs will help keep pressure off knees and joints which he has had problems with. He can drive and finish left and right, has good quickness, height and weight to finish in NBA. Hope he falls to my Bulls at 11 with the recent partial ACL tear news. He can be somethin with his height as an ever rarer true point guard.

The lack of nba athletes is a concern but they also have no 3 second rule which makes that impressive as well

Like his game. Just want to see him improve his jump shoot.

I'm not sure Topic is the best fit, Spurs barely have any spacing as is, adding a 30% shooter won't help that especially with Sochan going forward. Vassell, who they locked in is also a poor defender, Topic+DV would be a turnstyle defensively & get ran thru. I'd prefer Sarr or Risacher, I think Risacher in particular would be AMAZING. I think Ris would be the best fit with Wemby, if you double off him he's feeding a 6'9 sniper who at that height is basically getting WIDE open shots. You have to defend a guy that tall very closely or else. And being that tall, Spurs could play small ball, even move Sochan to the bench or play them all together.

Offensively he's the clear #1 prospect. Controls the game, incredible handle at that size, massive first step, PnR skill, etc. He comes from a basketball family and is super young too. The defense is weak and his shooting has a way to go. Maybe your gamble is that Sarr can learn any offense other than finishing and put him higher but people are bending over backwards to find fault in Topic in ways they don't do for Sarr (as an example).

As a rockets fan I never thought the Nets pick would land in the top 3 but here we are. Now I and a lot of rockets fans are going to have to do a lot of research on these players if we stand pact 😅

below the rim , can he score all theee levels ?

Topic is perfect to play with Wemby - Vassel and Sochan ^^

If he can be a true point guard and effectively facilitate pop's offense, he would be a great pick having a 6'6" frame. All he needs is a strong handle and high IQ, which he seems to possess both. The shooting and defense will improve with time

Aaiiii.... The good old days

Nikola Topic to the rockets 🚀

*Leonardo pointing at the tv* Tony Parker 2.0😮

He looks like Jim Carrey! Excited for you my man!!!

if he sharpen his shooting ability he's gonna be a top 10 point guard in 5 years... if he end up in spurs its gonna be tony parker 2.0 6'7 with nice dribbling skills, change of pace, good court vision, finish good at the rim, passing ability, high ball iq.

Damn good prospect for sure, and he's a lefty, so he's a little harder to guard. Wonder if he can finish with his right?

I actually like Topic ..he’s under control and controls the ball but he is slow but it may not matter. I’m a Spurs fan so I do think he is a Spurs type of player

You could watch him in highest level in next 6 months becouse he's back in Red Star Belgrade ,Euroleague.

Miami Heat's next Goran Dragic

Jokic played for same club.

looks like bigger ricky rubio with less steals. i can’t imagine him driving by nba defenders who are as big as him and sagging off the whole game. pnr should be cool tho.

If spurs get high pick draft, they should take this player or other any player like this. Wemby need a decent pg fr. And from that, an awakened dynasty can be started again

Yup,dude is not scared.

A Young Manu in the making...

Maybe the comparison is Tony parker good fit this guy in SPURS

💯

welcome to toronto

What"s the topic of the video? Hoop Intellect: Topic Yea, that what I just asked you. What is it?

Only thing i am concerned about is his Injuries. Can he stay fit?

If no one can stay in front of him, blowing by would make getting to mid range much easier as well, not just the rim. Almost gives no excuse as to why he’d be uncomfortable at that part in the half court.

Im worried about the footwork defensively… he seemed to be groggy and unaware, possibly something he could improve on in the future but for now I’m not as high on him as other like Cody Williams. I would just prefer a lankier wing. Unless your the spurs who need guard play…

He plays like a all star pg from 1976

He reminds me of a young tony parker

Hold on bro, what you know bout Vince Staples?

he's going to average about 2 carries per game on those drives

So is he like a 6’7” Ricky Rubio ? I do belive his game is more developed than RR’s was at this age as far as being able to create your own shot which is much more of a necessity for nba play compared to euro league. The talent is tantalizing honestly he’s only got 2 issues imo. Will he be able to shoot off the dribble and from 3 consistently against NBA Defenses and 2 the players who were like him who have been drafted before…. Poku, Leandro BolMaro, Killian Hayes, Hernangomez, Deni Advidja (who I really like) Mario Hezonja and early Ricky Rubio, etc were all guys who couldn’t really shoot which made it hard for spacing, that would cut their playing time. Now I think it would be foolish to put on this kid years of bad scouting/drafting but I do think that does come into their minds. A guy who his game is similar too (and failed at first sadly but has come back and been huge for a playoff team) is Dante Exum. I do really like him for the spurs, Atlanta, Bulls, Portland if they trade away a guard or 2 and he would be a reallllllly fun partner for Scotty Barnes. He’s definitely in my Top 3 for the draft with Dillingham and either Jakobe Walter or Cody Williams. But I think this draft more than any I can remember is each team will have a totally different big board. There’s players who would fit awesome with some and will barely play for others and while that happens for a lot of normal drafts usually lottery guys arnt that way.

His ability to change speeds and directions on a dime, plus his ability to finish below the rim, make some of his drives reminiscent of James Harden, imo.

Does he have a three ball?

I could see the Spurs picking this kid.

I kinda wamma see rob dillingham and wemby

Hes tall he looks taller than teodosic who surprisngly become a tall g in nba

SPURS SPURS SPUUUURSSSS

i see a manu ginobili type of player

SAN ANTONIO SPURS!!!!

can we please get him for PG on the spurs. what we got just aint working. clearly

He looks shorter tho, he's at best 6'4. But this kid can ball.

Future Spur

spurs need him omfg ill die

Coming to spurs baby

WIZARD

OKC picked him up and traded for curoso…. Damn

Nikola topic Nikola jovic Nikola jokic Serbia has a genetic factory

Nikola Top Pick

The only thing I have to say about international guys is u really can’t touch them in there game So there dribble moves are basic and it’s easy bcuz u have to let them go by and with no athletic rim protectors looks better then he probably is

Imagine if Spurs trade for Trae and get Topic in the draft.. that's a dynasty

Wow, those defensive clips looked rough, especially the screen navigation. 🤢

He and Bogi could turn the Hawks around

SPURS 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

Topic biggest strength is his passion for basketball 🏀 You can't teach that crap

He looks smaller than 6’6, but I like Dillingham better

Hawks needa take him with the 1st

Welcome to the Wizards

He moves like he's 6'3 is he really 6'6-6'7

Atm would not take him w a top pick (no pun intended). He's blowing by his man every play and getting layups. Not seeing any floaters, push shots, post game, middies, or even euros (in the euro league!). If his threes don't come online, it's going to be rough for him. Imagine a team sticking a Marcus Smart on him or him blowing by just to go up against Gobert. Coach would have to bench him most games :/

He’s coming to Detroit. 🤷🏾‍♂️ Spurs fans are gonna have to cope.

Future Spur, cannot wait

A taller goran dragic 👀👀

this is why, i want to fine the spurs they are aware of european talent being too good on the fundamentals and also easy to coach. they're tanking but the NBA is allowing it for some reason.

future spur

Welcome to the Washington Wizards

He reminds me a lot of tony parker when he gets around the rim the spurs should draft him.

I like him to be a teammate with wemby and Zaccharie Risacher

3 to per game & 30% from 3 as a guard under 90% free throw. over hyped

Wasn't Luka in the euro league? This guy is avging less on a small nation based team, seems more like a Killian Hayes possibly but I'm not sure

Topic to Houston 🚀. Udoka can create Topic become an All star player 🌟 He and Jalen at the back court wil B vry impressive duo.

Yeah spurs got that