Milan Momcilovic’s future is hanging in the balance, and it could directly shape what Mark Pope’s second Kentucky roster looks like heading into a crucial season in Lexington.
The Iowa State sharpshooter is currently testing the NBA Draft waters while also keeping the door open for a potential return to college basketball through the transfer portal. That dual-track approach has made him one of the most closely watched names in the sport ahead of the May 27 withdrawal deadline.
At Iowa State’s Cyclone Tailgate Tour, head coach TJ Otzelberger provided a clear update on where things stand, revealing that Momcilovic has multiple NBA workouts scheduled this week — including one with the Chicago Bulls, who hold several picks in the upcoming draft.
Otzelberger was emphatic in his praise for the 6-foot-8 forward, highlighting what makes him such an appealing prospect at the next level.
“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… his body of work should really stand up,” Otzelberger said.
Momcilovic’s shooting numbers back that up in a major way. He set Iowa State’s single-season records for made three-pointers and three-point percentage, finishing the year at an elite 48.7% from deep — one of the best marks in the entire nation.
Even with NBA attention growing, there remains a real possibility that he returns to college basketball if the feedback from teams doesn’t place him where he hopes in the draft.
If that happens, Kentucky is expected to be firmly in the mix.
Momcilovic has already made his admiration for Mark Pope’s system clear, pointing to the pace and perimeter emphasis as a strong fit for his game.
“I think Kentucky would be a good fit,” Momcilovic said. “They push the ball and shoot a lot of threes. I feel like I’d be a great player for him.”
That type of skill set is exactly what Kentucky’s roster could be missing — a high-volume, elite-level shooter capable of stretching defenses and opening the floor for Pope’s fast-paced offensive system. Last season, Kentucky often struggled with consistent outside shooting, and adding a player of Momcilovic’s caliber could immediately change the spacing and overall efficiency of the offense.
But Kentucky is not alone in the race.
Reports indicate Louisville and St. John’s are also monitoring the situation closely, with Rick Pitino’s program particularly aggressive in pursuing transfer-portal talent. Pitino recently confirmed that St. John’s still has roster spots available and is prepared to add impact players who withdraw from the draft.
With NIL opportunities reportedly ranging in the multi-million-dollar range for top portal players, Momcilovic’s decision will likely come down to a mix of draft positioning, development fit, and financial opportunity.
For Kentucky, the equation is simple: if Momcilovic withdraws from the NBA Draft, Mark Pope may suddenly have the elite shooting piece his system desperately needs.
But with the May 27 deadline approaching, the next move is entirely in Momcilovic’s hands — and it could reshape the entire balance of power in the SEC next season.
