Kentucky basketball landed one of the most dangerous three-point shooters in college basketball when Milan Momcilovic transferred from Iowa State. However, as the Wildcats prepare for the 2026-27 season, head coach Mark Pope believes fans could be overlooking another important part of the forward’s game.
Momcilovic enters his first season in Lexington after an outstanding 2025-26 campaign with the Cyclones. The 6-foot-8 forward connected on 48.7% of his three-point attempts while averaging 7.5 attempts per game. His 136 made three-pointers led the nation, making him one of the most sought-after players in the transfer portal.
Those numbers have already generated plenty of excitement among the Big Blue Nation. But Pope believes Momcilovic has several other qualities that could make him an even more valuable piece of Kentucky’s lineup.
Speaking at SEC Media Days, Pope praised the forward’s offensive versatility, pointing to his ability to score inside, move without the basketball, and make better decisions as a passer.
According to Pope, Momcilovic has made significant progress in several areas since joining the Wildcats. His improved cutting, post skills, and assist-to-turnover ratio could give Kentucky another dimension offensively.
His shooting remains his biggest weapon. Defenders will have to respect his ability to knock down shots from long range, potentially creating more room for his teammates to operate around the basket.
However, the biggest question surrounding Momcilovic involves his defense.
Kentucky will need consistent defensive contributions to compete against the best teams in the SEC. While Momcilovic is not known for exceptional athleticism, his size, basketball intelligence, and experience in Iowa State’s defensive system could help him become a dependable defender.
Sophomore center Malachi Moreno believes opponents could underestimate that part of Momcilovic’s game.
Moreno described his teammate as a capable defender who can guard without committing unnecessary fouls. He also highlighted Momcilovic’s ability to switch defensive assignments and use his physical strength against opposing players.
Momcilovic shares that confidence. He understands that his reputation as a shooter often overshadows his other skills, but he wants to establish himself as someone who can contribute on both ends of the floor.
He also believes his basketball intelligence allows him to fit into different defensive systems without becoming a liability.
Another area where Kentucky could benefit is his passing.
Momcilovic averaged just 1.1 assists per game during his three seasons at Iowa State. However, that statistic does not necessarily reflect his potential as a playmaker, particularly given his role as a perimeter scoring threat.
At Kentucky’s recent Pro Day, Momcilovic demonstrated improved passing ability, offering a glimpse of how he might contribute beyond scoring.
Pope’s offensive system should create opportunities for him to make quick decisions, find teammates, and exploit defensive rotations. His developing chemistry with Moreno could also become an important part of Kentucky’s attack.
Momcilovic has acknowledged that he has improved as a passer while learning Kentucky’s system, particularly through actions involving screens, handoffs, and defenders closing out on his shooting.
If he maintains his exceptional three-point accuracy while becoming a more complete offensive player and a reliable defender, his ceiling could be considerably higher than many expect.
Kentucky already knows what Milan Momcilovic can do from beyond the arc. Now, Mark Pope wants to unlock the other parts of his game that could make the Wildcats even more dangerous. If everything comes together, an All-SEC season—and potentially All-American recognition—could be within reach.
