Kentucky’s offseason continues to revolve around one massive question: what will Malachi Moreno decide about the NBA Draft? But while Big Blue Nation waits for clarity on Moreno’s future, another major storyline is quickly gaining momentum — and it could turn into one of the biggest recruiting battles of the summer.
Iowa State star Milan Momcilovic is now being heavily projected to return to college basketball, and Kentucky appears to be right in the middle of the race.
According to college basketball analyst Jeff Goodman during an appearance on The Field of 68, Momcilovic is currently searching for a first-round NBA Draft guarantee. However, Goodman believes the talented forward is trending toward another season in college rather than staying in the draft process.
If that happens, the battle may come down to two bitter rivals.
“I think he’ll come back to school,” Goodman said. “And I think it’s probably a Kentucky vs. Louisville battle.”
That latest report lines up with growing speculation surrounding Momcilovic’s future. The Iowa State standout has already spoken positively about Kentucky and Mark Pope’s system, reportedly saying he believes the Wildcats would be a strong fit for his game.
And it’s easy to understand why.
Momcilovic would immediately fill one of Kentucky’s biggest remaining needs heading into next season. The 6-foot-8 scorer is one of the most dangerous perimeter shooters in college basketball, averaging 17 points per game while knocking down nearly 50 percent from three-point range last season.
For a Kentucky roster already loaded with talent, adding a player with that kind of offensive firepower could completely elevate expectations.
Many believed Tyran Stokes would occupy that final major scoring role, but with roster movement continuing throughout the offseason, Momcilovic now looks like one of the most impactful names still available.
If Moreno ultimately returns to Lexington as well, Kentucky could suddenly find itself entering national title conversations much earlier than expected.
Still, Louisville is making this battle extremely interesting.
Pat Kelsey and the Cardinals have quietly built one of the strongest transfer portal classes in the country this offseason. According to 247Sports, Louisville currently owns the No. 1 ranked transfer class nationally, while Kentucky sits outside the top ten.
That adds another layer to this recruitment.
Landing Momcilovic would not only strengthen Kentucky’s roster, but it would also represent a major recruiting win over Louisville in a direct head-to-head fight. Rivalries between the two programs already carry enormous weight, and adding a high-profile transfer battle into the mix only increases the pressure.
From a basketball standpoint, Kentucky may offer the cleaner fit.
Mark Pope’s offense thrives on spacing, movement, and perimeter shooting — exactly the type of environment where Momcilovic could flourish. His ability to stretch defenses and score at multiple levels would give Kentucky another elite offensive weapon alongside its returning core.
But recruiting battles in today’s college basketball world are rarely simple. NIL opportunities, NBA development promises, roster fit, and playing time will all play major roles in the final decision.
For now, though, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: Kentucky and Louisville may be heading toward another heated showdown — this time for one of the most important players left on the board.
And Big Blue Nation will be watching every step of it closely.
