The offseason has quickly become one of the most important stretches of the year for Kentucky Wildcats and head coach Mark Pope. While roster building through the transfer portal and recruiting has already brought excitement to Big Blue Nation, two major decisions could ultimately shape the direction of Kentucky’s 2026–27 season — the NBA Draft choices of Malachi Moreno and Milan Momcilovic.
Kentucky fans remain hopeful that Moreno will return to Lexington for another season. The talented big man is viewed as a potential cornerstone for Pope’s frontcourt next year, and many believe his return would immediately elevate Kentucky into national championship contention. However, the situation surrounding Momcilovic may be just as significant, especially with growing reports that a fierce recruiting battle is developing between Kentucky and in-state rival Louisville Cardinals.
Momcilovic, who transferred from Iowa State Cyclones, has continued to evaluate his NBA Draft stock while also exploring college opportunities if he decides to withdraw from the draft process. According to national college basketball insider Jeff Goodman, the current expectation is that Momcilovic could return to college basketball rather than enter the NBA as a projected second-round selection.
Goodman recently explained that Momcilovic appears to be searching for a guaranteed first-round promise from NBA teams, something that may not materialize before the withdrawal deadline. If that promise never comes, returning to college could become the smartest move both financially and developmentally.
That possibility has immediately intensified speculation surrounding where Momcilovic would play next season. Kentucky and Louisville are reportedly the two programs pushing hardest for the elite forward, with both schools believing his shooting ability could transform their offenses.
For Kentucky, the fit seems almost perfect.
Coach Mark Pope has built his offensive philosophy around spacing, ball movement, and perimeter shooting. Momcilovic’s ability to stretch defenses from beyond the arc would make him one of the most dangerous weapons in the SEC the moment he stepped onto the floor. Widely regarded as one of the top shooting forwards in college basketball, he possesses the kind of offensive versatility that modern systems demand.
At 6-foot-8, Momcilovic can create matchup nightmares for opposing defenses. He can knock down catch-and-shoot threes, score in transition, and provide floor spacing that opens driving lanes for guards and post opportunities for Kentucky’s big men. If paired with Moreno, Kentucky could suddenly feature one of the most balanced frontcourts in the country.
That combination is exactly why Kentucky fans are paying close attention to every update involving the NBA Draft process.
Still, Louisville is expected to make a serious push. The Cardinals are looking to continue rebuilding momentum and add elite talent capable of elevating the program nationally. Landing a player with Momcilovic’s shooting range and scoring potential would be a major statement for Louisville and would intensify the rivalry between the two Bluegrass programs even further.
There is also the possibility that additional schools could enter the race if Momcilovic officially withdraws from the draft. Programs with strong NIL resources may attempt a late push, especially considering the value of elite shooters in today’s college game. Reports have also connected St. John’s Red Storm and legendary coach Rick Pitino to Momcilovic’s recruitment.
Even with outside interest, many analysts believe Kentucky and Louisville currently make the most sense from a basketball standpoint.
Kentucky offers national exposure, a proven NBA development environment, and an offensive system designed to maximize perimeter talent. Pope’s style could allow Momcilovic to thrive statistically while improving areas of his game that NBA scouts want to see before committing a first-round selection.
For Momcilovic, another productive college season could significantly boost his draft stock. Instead of entering the NBA as a second-round pick fighting for roster security, he could potentially return next year as a stronger, more complete prospect with first-round momentum.
Financially, staying in college may also prove beneficial. NIL opportunities at major programs like Kentucky and Louisville continue to rival the earnings of many second-round NBA contracts. That reality has changed the landscape of college basketball, giving players more flexibility to return to school without sacrificing financial security.
For Kentucky specifically, the stakes could not be higher.
The Wildcats are aiming to build a roster capable of competing for an SEC title and making a deep NCAA Tournament run. Pope’s first years in Lexington have generated enormous excitement, but adding players like Momcilovic and Moreno would elevate expectations dramatically.
A lineup featuring elite shooting, frontcourt size, and roster depth could place Kentucky among the early favorites heading into the 2026–27 season. Without those pieces, however, the Wildcats may still face questions about consistency and offensive firepower against the nation’s top teams.
As the NBA Draft deadline approaches, all eyes will remain on Momcilovic’s next move. Whether he chooses Kentucky, Louisville, or stays in the draft, his decision could become one of the defining storylines of the college basketball offseason.
For now, one thing is clear — the battle for Milan Momcilovic is heating up, and the outcome could reshape basketball in the Bluegrass State.
