Kentucky basketball fans received some concerning news Friday when reports surfaced that Milan Momcilovic was dealing with an injury to his shooting hand.
However, the latest update appears to be much more encouraging.
Momcilovic, the top incoming transfer in Kentucky’s 2026 recruiting class, was seen participating in the Wildcats’ conditioning workouts at Kroger Field this week while wearing a bulky split on his right index finger.
Although several reports Friday morning described the injury as a broken finger, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported that Momcilovic does not have a broken finger. The injury is also not considered serious.
According to the report, Kentucky’s coaching staff expects the senior forward to return to practice within one to two weeks.
That timeline should provide plenty of relief for Big Blue Nation, particularly with the Wildcats’ official preseason schedule still a few weeks away.
Kentucky’s first official practice is expected during the week of Sept. 21. Big Blue Madness is scheduled for Oct. 2 at Rupp Arena, followed by the Wildcats’ exhibition opener against Little Rock on Oct. 16.
Most importantly, Momcilovic is not expected to miss any games because of the injury.
Momcilovic Expected to Be a Major Piece for Kentucky
Momcilovic entered Lexington with enormous expectations after an outstanding season at Iowa State.
The 6-foot-9 forward was arguably the most dangerous three-point shooter in college basketball last season. He knocked down 136 three-pointers while shooting 48.7% from beyond the arc, leading the NCAA in both categories.
His performance was good enough to make him a potential first-round NBA Draft selection, but Momcilovic ultimately chose to return to college basketball and committed to Mark Pope and Kentucky.
ESPN ranked him as the No. 1 transfer in the country, making him the centerpiece of Pope’s highly regarded transfer class.
Momcilovic averaged 16.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per game for Iowa State last season and has scored in double figures during each of his three collegiate seasons.
Kentucky will be counting heavily on that production this season, and Momcilovic is widely expected to be one of the Wildcats’ leading scorers.
The Wildcats are currently ranked No. 17 in CBS Sports’ early rankings and No. 22 by ESPN.
Positive Development for Kam Williams, Too
There was also encouraging news involving another important Kentucky player.
Returning wing Kam Williams participated in the Wildcats’ conditioning drills Thursday after missing Kentucky’s entire summer practice period because of the foot injury that ended his 2025-26 season.
Williams underwent a second surgery on his foot this summer and was still wearing a walking boot when Kentucky’s eight-week summer practice session ended last month.
During the recent conditioning workout at Kroger Field, however, Williams was no longer wearing visible protection on the injured foot.
That could be an important development as Pope continues to evaluate his rotation.
Williams was in Kentucky’s starting lineup when his injury occurred last season and could still compete for a starting spot this year. At the same time, he could become one of the first players off the bench as Pope builds what is expected to be a deep Kentucky roster.
For now, the biggest takeaway for Kentucky fans is that Momcilovic’s finger injury does not appear to be serious, and his expected return in one to two weeks should keep him on track for the start of the season.
Kentucky opens the regular season Nov. 3 against Manhattan at Rupp Arena before facing its first major test against Kansas on Nov. 10 in Chicago.
