Kentucky’s pursuit of one of the biggest names left in the transfer portal is officially heating up.
Former Iowa State standout Milan Momcilovic revealed this week at the NBA Draft Combine that Kentucky is firmly in the mix if he decides to return to college basketball, and his comments immediately caught the attention of Big Blue Nation.
The 6-foot-8 forward has become one of the most talked-about players in the country after entering the portal while also testing the NBA Draft waters. Momcilovic made it clear that his main focus remains on the NBA, but he also admitted the financial opportunities in college basketball are becoming impossible to ignore.
“I could get more money in college than a contract in the NBA right now,” Momcilovic said during his media session in Chicago.
Still, the talented sharpshooter says fit matters just as much as money — and Kentucky appears to check both boxes.
Momcilovic is coming off a huge season at Iowa State, where he led the nation in both 3-point percentage and total 3-pointers made. Over the past three seasons, he started 101 games for the Cyclones and established himself as one of the best offensive forwards in college basketball.
That kind of firepower is exactly what Mark Pope may need heading into a pivotal third season in Lexington.
Kentucky has added intriguing talent this offseason, but there are still questions surrounding the roster. Malachi Moreno’s NBA Draft decision remains unresolved, and the Wildcats are still searching for another elite scorer capable of transforming the offense into a true national title contender.
That’s where Momcilovic enters the picture.
According to the buzz around the NBA Combine, Kentucky, Louisville, and St. John’s are considered the primary contenders if he withdraws from the draft. Multiple reports suggest Kentucky still has significant NIL resources available and enough roster flexibility to make a major move.
Momcilovic even openly praised Pope’s offensive system.
“I think Kentucky would be a good fit,” he said. “I loved how his BYU teams played. They fly the ball up the court and shoot 3s.”
He also hinted that Kentucky’s roster last season may not have fully matched Pope’s preferred style.
“I don’t think he had enough shooters around him to really coach the way he wanted,” Momcilovic added. “If I were to choose Kentucky, I feel like I’d be a great player for him, and he’d be a good coach for me.”
That statement alone is already generating major excitement among Kentucky fans.
Pope has made it clear since arriving in Lexington that he wants to build a fast-paced offense built around spacing and perimeter shooting. Landing the nation’s top available shooter could completely change expectations for next season.
Momcilovic said he has not personally spoken directly with college coaches yet, as he entered the portal with a “do not contact” designation. However, his representatives have been communicating with programs, including Kentucky.
The Wildcats are expected to remain patient while Momcilovic continues through the NBA Draft process. He said he would likely stay in the draft if he receives a first-round guarantee, though many projections currently place him outside that range.
If he returns to college, Kentucky may suddenly become one of the biggest winners of the offseason.
For now, Big Blue Nation waits — but the latest comments from Momcilovic made one thing very clear:
Kentucky is very much alive in this recruitment.
