When Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic entered the transfer portal, it immediately shook up the college basketball world. He is now viewed as one of the top available players in the portal arguably the best, depending on who you ask.
Officially, Momcilovic is still exploring his NBA Draft options for 2026 and is reportedly inclined to stay in the draft. However, ESPN currently ranks him at No. 44 overall, which suggests he is not guaranteed a first-round selection. On top of that, there’s always speculation that some players lean toward staying in the draft partly to strengthen their NIL leverage.
On the court this past season, Momcilovic was highly productive. He averaged 16.9 points while shooting 50.6% overall and an impressive 48.7% from three on 7.5 attempts per game. He also added 3.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists, and led the nation with 136 made three-pointers. In Iowa State’s NCAA Tournament win over Kentucky, he dropped 20 points on efficient shooting, including 4-of-9 from deep. His shooting ability is widely considered elite, and many view him as a long-term NBA talent, whether he enters now or later in 2027.
If he goes through the draft process and fails to secure a first-round promise, returning to college basketball could be extremely lucrative, with potential NIL packages estimated in the $4–5 million range.
That raises the question: is Kentucky a realistic destination if he withdraws from the draft? According to CBS Sports analyst Isaac Trotter, the Wildcats would indeed be in the mix. Trotter, who ranks Momcilovic No. 2 overall among transfer portal prospects, notes that Kentucky, Florida, and Kansas would all be involved if his recruitment reopens.
Florida has long been considered a strong contender, but optimism that the Gators could return most of their core including Rueben Chinyelu and Thomas Haugh alongside Boogie Fland and Alex Condon may reduce their need for a player like Momcilovic, who primarily plays on the wing and occasionally at the four.
Kansas, meanwhile, is expected to invest heavily in high school star Tyran Stokes after briefly being in the mix with Kentucky. That financial commitment could limit their ability to compete in a bidding war for Momcilovic, whose NIL value could easily exceed $4–5 million. For reference, Kansas transfer Flory Bidunga is reportedly headed to Louisville on a deal worth around $5 million, setting a clear market expectation for top-tier talent.
As for Kentucky, roster construction remains a work in progress. So far, the Wildcats have added only Washington guard Zoom Diallo, and their portal activity has been relatively quiet. That said, they could fill out depth pieces early while leaving flexibility for a late push at a major name like Momcilovic if he becomes available.
In an ideal scenario, Kentucky secures several contributors soon and stabilizes its roster. But if bigger targets remain in play later in the offseason, Momcilovic could become a priority worth pursuing aggressively especially with booster support likely available for a player of his caliber.
For now, the situation remains fluid, and the key takeaway is simple: having multiple paths and options still on the table is a strong position to be in.
