Nikola Topic to miss NBA Draft Combine / News - Basketnews.com

Nikola Topic will not leave Crvena Zvezda to participate in the NBA Draft Combine even though it's mandatory. There is an exception in the new CBA that allows him to do it.

Credit: ABA League j.t.d./Dragana Stjepanovic Credit ABA League j.t.d./Dragana Stjepanovic

Nikola Topic was one of 78 players invited to this year's NBA Draft Combine. However, he will not attend.

2-pointers this season

55%20,0Points made:20,0Accuracy:54,9%Place in standings:10Record max:26Record min:15Most made 2FGs:Luka MitrovicTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Topic's club in Europe, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, released an official statement that the prospect will not leave the club during the season, even temporarily.

Crvena Zvezda are still competing in the ABA League playoffs, while Topic is one of the main players, having begun the last game in the starting five.

The NBA Draft Combine starts on May 10th and lasts two days. The new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) made participation in the combine mandatory due to previous attempts by players and their camp to withhold crucial medical information.

However, there is an exception to the rule, which will apply in Topic's case as well. Players playing overseas professionally with the season still in play are one of the exempt groups of athletes. As such, Topic will have to "complete Draft Combine activities at a later date".

The 18-year-old Serbian is almost universally considered to be one of this year's top prospects, coming in at no. 2 in the latest CBS Sports mock draft.

Topic picked up a knee injury in January and only returned to the court in April. His draft stock did not seem to have fallen throughout the recovery process.

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