Nikola Topić's shadow cascaded across the wall behind him.

He was the largest figure in the room. The centerpiece inside Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, as the Thunder unveiled its three rookies from a 2024 NBA Draft that had concluded less than 48 hours ago in Brooklyn, New York.

Now Topić was in Oklahoma City, even further from his home country of Serbia. And as a Canon camera's light blasted his wide eyes during his first media scrum, the 18-year-old guard was asked about his injury. A partially torn ACL in his left knee that would require surgery and sideline him for his entire first season.

"It will for sure be a lot of hard work and really tough mentally," Topić answered after a brief pause, still taking in his new surroundings. "But I think I'm ready."

There was uncerta

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