Milan Momcilovic’s future remains one of the biggest storylines in college basketball as the Iowa State sharpshooter continues testing the NBA Draft waters while also keeping his transfer options open.
Speaking during Iowa State’s Cyclone Tailgate Tour, head coach TJ Otzelberger gave an update on Momcilovic’s draft process and made it clear he believes the talented forward has done more than enough to earn serious NBA consideration.
According to Otzelberger, Momcilovic has several workouts scheduled this week, including one with the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls currently own four picks in the upcoming NBA Draft, including selections at No. 4 and No. 15 overall.
Otzelberger praised Momcilovic’s elite shooting ability and said his résumé should stand out to NBA teams.
“I think for him, when you’re the guy that literally was the best shooter in the country, and then you have the positional size, the proven track record, again, as much as you can do in a workout or in a combine setting, his body of work should really stand up,” Otzelberger said.
He added that every NBA team values shooting, especially from a player with Momcilovic’s size and experience.
“Once you get past the first 20 picks, teams want something that can translate. He’s the best shooter on the board. We’ll see. I’m optimistic both can be first-round picks.”
Momcilovic is coming off a tremendous season at Iowa State, where he set school records for made three-pointers and three-point percentage. His 48.7% shooting from deep ranked among the very best in the country and made him one of the most sought-after players currently exploring both the NBA Draft and transfer portal.
Even though Momcilovic entered the transfer portal, Otzelberger made it clear there are no hard feelings if the star forward decides to continue his college career elsewhere.
“I love Milan. He’s my guy,” Otzelberger said. “You want everybody in your program to have their dreams become reality. With the season he had and how he developed, he put himself in a great position for the draft.”
Otzelberger also acknowledged the changing landscape of college basketball, where players often keep multiple options available while navigating NBA decisions.
“If it doesn’t go the way he wants in the draft, it’s important he has a landing spot that fits what he’s looking for.”
Kentucky continues to be heavily linked to Momcilovic if he decides to return to college basketball. During the NBA Draft Combine, Momcilovic openly praised Mark Pope’s offensive system and admitted he believes Kentucky would be a strong fit for his game.
“I think Kentucky would be a good fit,” Momcilovic said. “I loved how Pope’s teams played at BYU. They push the pace and shoot a lot of threes. I feel like I’d be a great player for him, and he’d be a good coach for me.”
Kentucky is reportedly competing with Louisville and St. John’s for Momcilovic’s services if he withdraws from the draft before the May 27 deadline. Reports suggest the talented shooter could command massive NIL offers if he returns to college basketball instead of entering the NBA this summer.
Meanwhile, Rick Pitino confirmed that St. John’s is still actively looking to add more talent to its roster, keeping the Red Storm firmly involved in the race as well.
For now, Momcilovic’s focus remains on the NBA Draft process, but with the withdrawal deadline approaching quickly, the attention surrounding his next move continues to grow.
