How Young Thunder Guard Nikola Topić Became the First Player in NBA History to Win a Championship Before Ever Stepping on the Court
The Wild Ride of Nikola Topić, the Champion Who Never Played
It’s June 2025, and the Oklahoma City Thunder have just done something remarkable. They clinched the NBA title after a thrilling seven-game series against Indiana. The city roared, confetti flew, and amid the celebration stood a silent but powerful figure: Nikola Topić, the 19-year-old Serbian point guard.
When Topić was drafted 12th overall in June 2024, no one could’ve guessed how his rookie year would unfold. He was fresh off tearing his ACL while playing for Crvena zvezda. The injury forced him to miss the entire 2024–25 season—even before he’d worn a Thunder jersey in a real game. Despite that, he signed a sturdy four-year deal with Oklahoma City and remained on their active roster throughout the season.
OKC surged through the year with a dominant 68–14 record. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dazzled as both regular-season MVP and Finals MVP. Every game, every play, had Topić watching from afar, rehabbing and preparing quietly.
Then, Game 7 of the Finals happened. The atmosphere was electric, every moment charged with hope and tension. When the final whistle blew and the Thunders had their ring, Topić stood by—no minutes played, no box score entries—but fully a champion. It was a moment so odd yet true: a title won before ever stepping on the court.
Sources across the sports world confirmed it. BroBible said he’s the first in NBA history to win a ring before playing a game. ClutchPoints called it league history: no other rookie has earned a title before debuting. On Reddit, fans echoed the surprise:
“Crazy but true: Nikola Topic is now the first player to win an NBA title before playing an NBA game.”
What This Means—and What Comes Next
Now, let’s settle what it really means. Topić didn’t do anything on the floor. He didn’t sink a basket, dish an assist, or dive for a rebound. And yet, he’s got a ring. That’s because NBA rules say: if you’re on the active roster—injured or not—you share in the win. Unusual? Definitely. But it’s part of the game’s mechanics.
Here’s why it matters:
- It highlights the quirks of sports contracts—sometimes, athletes earn titles without playing a minute.
- It shines a light on Topić’s potential. He proved his worth overseas with stat lines like 15 points and 6 assists per game in the ABA League—earning “Top Prospect” honors.
- It adds weight to his story. When he finally debuts next season, he’ll do so not as a rookie hoping for a taste of playoff basketball—but as a champion with perspective, maturity, and confidence.
Coach Mark Daigneault said Topić stayed professional and mature throughout rehab, keeping his work ethic sharp. Teammate Lu Dort noted how just being around practice and hate-filled travel made him more comfortable with the NBA game.
When OKC won, players like Alex Caruso joked about Topić earning a ring without lifting a finger:
“Bro earned a ring and still hasn’t touched the ball in Thunder jersey.”
But there’s no shame in that. The real test is what comes next. Topić now returns to a camp with a proven champion’s mindset ready to learn, challenge, and aim to contribute.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about guilt. It’s a weird twist. A player earning glory without game time. But that ring… it’s earned. Topić was part of practices, therapy sessions, playbooks, even locker room energy. He felt the pressure. He absorbed the tone.
Next season, when he steps on court, every dribble, pass, block will carry the weight of expectation—and the calm of knowing he’s already a champion. He’s got a unique view: he’s played one season without playing, learned with the best, seen the high-stakes moments without pressure.
If he lives up to his talent, this story becomes a birth story—a legend of the boy who became a champion before his first game. If he stumbles, it still remains wild sports trivia—a rarity no NBA fan will forget.
Whatever happens, that ring marks a beginning: the start of what could be a long and impactful career or, at the very least, a story no one else has.
Nikola Topić is now an NBA champion. And soon, he’ll be a player.