Kentucky’s newest addition, Milan Momcilovic, has yet to play an official game in a Wildcats uniform, but he is already generating plenty of excitement inside the program.
During summer workouts, one message has consistently come from his teammates: Momcilovic’s shooting is every bit as impressive as advertised.
For several returning Wildcats, that comes as no surprise. They experienced it firsthand during last season’s NCAA Tournament, when Momcilovic helped lead Iowa State past Kentucky with an outstanding offensive performance. Even after preparing multiple defensive strategies, the Wildcats struggled to slow him down.
Reece Potter recalled that experience with a laugh, saying the team spent time discussing how to defend Momcilovic, only to watch him continue making shots anyway. Now, instead of trying to stop him, Potter is happy to have him wearing Kentucky blue.
Potter believes opponents will soon face the same difficult challenge Kentucky dealt with in March. Defenses will have to devote significant attention to Momcilovic, creating more space and easier scoring opportunities for everyone else on the floor.
That was exactly the type of player head coach Mark Pope wanted to add during the offseason.
Following a season that fell short of expectations, Pope rebuilt the roster through the transfer portal, international recruiting, and returning players. One of his biggest priorities was finding an elite scorer who could force defenses to change their entire game plan.
Momcilovic fit that description perfectly.
After starring at Iowa State, where he established himself as one of college basketball’s premier three-point shooters, he chose Kentucky over several high-profile programs. His ability to stretch the floor immediately gives Pope another dangerous weapon in his offensive systm
Freshman Malachi Moreno believes Momcilovic completes what Kentucky was trying to build. According to Moreno, the Wildcats now have multiple players capable of creating offense for themselves while also opening opportunities for teammates.
Beyond basketball, Momcilovic has quickly become a popular teammate.
Freshman guard Mason Williams described him as much more laid-back than he expected while also praising his work ethic. Practicing alongside one of the nation’s best shooters has already become a valuable learning experience for the young guard.
Moreno added that the two have spent time golfing, grabbing meals, and building chemistry away from the court. He also believes Momcilovic is perfectly suited for Pope’s fast-paced, three-point-oriented offense.
There’s also been plenty of friendly trash talk.
Potter admitted that teammates occasionally remind Momcilovic about eliminating Kentucky from the NCAA Tournament, while Momcilovic isn’t shy about reminding everyone who won that game. The playful exchanges have helped him fit seamlessly into the locker room.
Still, it’s his basketball ability that continues to stand out.
Potter believes Momcilovic’s greatest value goes beyond the points he scores. His shooting reputation alone forces opposing defenses to adjust, making life easier for every other Wildcat on the court.
After sharing the floor with him in practice, Potter summed up the experience with a simple statement that has Kentucky fans excited for the season ahead.
“Yeah, he doesn’t miss.”
If the early reviews from inside the program are any indication, Big Blue Nation has plenty of reasons to be excited about what Milan Momcilovic could bring to Lexington this season.
