When Kentucky landed Milan Momcilovic from Iowa State, it wasn’t just another transfer addition—it was a statement. The Wildcats didn’t simply acquire a talented forward; they secured one of the most dangerous perimeter shooters college basketball has seen in recent years.
Long before Momcilovic committed to Kentucky, Mark Pope already knew exactly how difficult it was to defend him. Ahead of Kentucky’s NCAA Tournament clash with Iowa State in March, Pope described Momcilovic’s shooting ability in glowing terms, calling his production “staggering.” The Kentucky coach praised the forward’s unique ability to create scoring opportunities from virtually anywhere on the floor.
Whether it was relocating around screens, trailing in transition, crashing the offensive glass, or finding open space after cuts, Momcilovic consistently found ways to generate high-quality looks from beyond the arc. His versatility made him one of the most feared shooters in college basketball.
The next day, he proved Pope right.
Momcilovic scored 20 points and knocked down four three-pointers as Iowa State defeated Kentucky 82-63. While the final score suggested a comfortable Cyclones victory, the game was much closer early on. Kentucky controlled much of the first half and appeared poised to pull off an upset.
Then came the moment that changed everything.
With Kentucky leading 30-23 late in the first half, Momcilovic missed a mid-range jumper but refused to quit on the play. After a scramble for the rebound, he recovered the ball near the corner, gathered himself, stayed in bounds, and calmly buried a clutch three-pointer. The shot sparked Iowa State’s momentum and ignited a scoring burst that flipped the game before halftime.
Kentucky never fully recovered.
Just a few months later, however, the player who tormented the Wildcats became one of the biggest reasons for excitement surrounding the program.
Momcilovic’s commitment instantly transformed perceptions of Kentucky’s offseason. What had been viewed by some as a slow roster-building process suddenly became one of the most intriguing projects in college basketball. The Wildcats now possess a player capable of redefining what elite shooting looks like in Lexington.
The numbers are remarkable.
Last season, Momcilovic made 136 three-pointers while shooting an incredible 48.7 percent from beyond the arc. Both figures ranked among the very best in college basketball and showcased a rare combination of volume and efficiency.
To fully appreciate those numbers, it’s important to compare them with some of the greatest shooters in Kentucky history.
Jodie Meeks owns Kentucky’s single-season record with 117 made three-pointers, a mark that has stood for years. Yet Momcilovic surpassed that total by 19 made shots while also shooting at a significantly higher percentage.
Other Kentucky legends such as Jamal Murray, Malik Monk, and Travis Ford each enjoyed outstanding shooting seasons, but none matched the combination of accuracy and production that Momcilovic displayed at Iowa State.
Ford’s 1992-93 campaign remains one of the most efficient shooting seasons in school history. He connected on an incredible 52.9 percent of his three-point attempts and made 101 shots from deep. Even that legendary performance falls short of Momcilovic’s overall production.
Reed Sheppard also produced one of the greatest shooting seasons ever by a Wildcat, making 52.1 percent of his three-point attempts. Yet he finished with 75 made threes—61 fewer than Momcilovic’s total last season.
Doron Lamb, regarded by many as one of the purest shooters of the John Calipari era, made 144 three-pointers during his entire Kentucky career. Momcilovic was only eight away from matching that total in a single season.
Then there is Tony Delk, Kentucky’s all-time leader with 283 career three-pointers. Delk’s legacy is secure, but even he never made more than 95 three-pointers in a season.
These comparisons illustrate just how extraordinary Momcilovic’s accomplishments have been.
What makes his arrival even more exciting is the offensive system he is entering. Mark Pope’s philosophy emphasizes spacing, ball movement, and perimeter shooting. Kentucky’s offense is designed to maximize shooters, creating opportunities through constant movement and smart decision-making.
That system could elevate Momcilovic’s game to another level.
Defenders will be forced to account for his shooting range at all times, opening driving lanes and creating opportunities for teammates such as Kam Williams, Braydon Hawthorne, and Alex Wilkins. His presence alone could make Kentucky’s offense one of the most difficult units in the nation to defend.
Of course, greatness is not awarded before the games are played. Momcilovic must still prove himself in a Kentucky uniform, handle the pressure that comes with wearing the blue and white, and maintain his elite efficiency against SEC competition.
But if he comes close to repeating the numbers he produced at Iowa State, history could be waiting.
Kentucky basketball has featured countless stars, All-Americans, and NBA talents. Yet when it comes to pure three-point shooting, Milan Momcilovic has an opportunity to accomplish something truly special.
The records are within reach.
The expectations are enormous.
And the journey toward becoming the greatest three-point shooter in Kentucky basketball history is about to begin.
