After an offseason filled with uncertainty and roster questions, Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope is beginning to generate momentum in the transfer portal. According to On3, Kentucky recently held a Zoom meeting with Milan Momcilovic, the talented forward transferring from Iowa State Cyclones. The Wildcats continue searching for experienced talent to strengthen their roster, and Momcilovic appears to be one of the top names on their radar.
The Wisconsin native broke out in a major way during his junior season at Iowa State, emerging as one of the most dangerous offensive players in the Big 12. Momcilovic averaged 16.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game while shooting an impressive 50.6% from the field.
What truly separated him from many forwards around the country, however, was his elite perimeter shooting. The 6-foot-8 sharpshooter connected on a remarkable 48.7% of his three-point attempts while averaging 7.5 shots from beyond the arc per game. His ability to stretch the floor and consistently knock down shots made him one of the conference’s toughest matchups.
Momcilovic’s standout season also earned him All-Big 12 Second Team honors alongside some of the nation’s top talents, including projected NBA draft pick Darryn Peterson and Richie Saunders of BYU Cougars.
Despite entering the transfer portal in early April, Momcilovic is still exploring his NBA options and is expected to participate in the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago from May 10-17. There remains significant uncertainty surrounding his decision, with opinions split on whether he will stay in the draft or return to college basketball.
Most projections currently place him anywhere from the late first round to the middle of the second round. Unless an NBA franchise offers a guaranteed first-round commitment, many believe Momcilovic could ultimately return to the college level. If that happens, Kentucky could become a serious contender for his services, as his shooting and versatility would make him an ideal fit at the power forward position in Lexington.