By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A few months after inking a four-year contract with Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet, youngster Nikola Topic was called back from a loan assignment with Mega MIS.
Topic, 18, talked with ESPN’s Jonathan Givony about his decision to return to the Belgrade giant. “My dream for many years has been to play for Red Star,” he said, “I grew up a fan of this club. It will mean everything for me to play in front of 20,000 Red Star fans. I could not say no to playing basketball in the EuroLeague.”
The son of former player Milenko Topic is projected to be among the top picks in the 2024 NBA draft. Completing the 2023-24 campaign at Mega would be combined with better opportunities to display his talents to visiting NBA scouts. “It is a huge risk, but I am ready,” he confirmed.
Ahead of the away game against Panathinaikos Aktor on Thursday, Zvezda carries a 6-10 record in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. Over the two previous seasons, Topic logged a total of ten minutes through three appearances in Europe’s premier club continental competition. He is likely to earn more playing time as a backup point guard under Giannis Sfairopoulos.
Topic also wants to test Luka Doncic’s opinion about scoring being easier in the NBA compared to the EuroLeague. “I do not know if I agree with him, but now I will be able to see for myself in six months,” the Serbian upstart previewed jumping to the NBA.