Kentucky basketball’s latest star addition has already established himself as one of the most dangerous three-point shooters in college basketball. But as Milan Momcilovic prepares for his first season with the Wildcats, he wants to show that his game offers much more than long-range shooting.
After an outstanding junior season at Iowa State, Momcilovic transferred to Kentucky to join head coach Mark Pope for the 2026–27 campaign. His arrival gives the Wildcats an elite perimeter weapon, but the forward is determined to develop other aspects of his game, particularly defense, cutting, and scoring closer to the basket.
The message is clear: Momcilovic knows what he can do from beyond the arc. Now, he wants to prove that he can contribute in other ways when defenses attempt to take away his biggest strength.
With Kentucky preparing for another competitive Southeastern Conference season, his development could be one of the most important storylines surrounding the Wildcats.
Milan Momcilovic Is Coming Off a Remarkable Shooting Season
There is little doubt about what made Momcilovic one of the most sought-after players in the transfer portal.
During the 2025–26 season at Iowa State, the 6-foot-9 forward averaged 16.9 points per game, made 136 three-pointers, and shot an incredible 48.7% from beyond the arc.
He led the nation in both three-pointers made and three-point shooting percentage, establishing himself as one of college basketball’s premier perimeter threats. He also earned Second Team All-Big 12 recognition and helped Iowa State finish with a 29–8 record. �
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Those numbers explain why Kentucky made him a priority during the offseason.
Momcilovic can stretch opposing defenses well beyond the three-point line. When defenders are forced to stay close to him, they create more space for teammates to attack the basket, drive into the paint, and operate around the perimeter.
That influence is valuable even when he does not take the final shot.
However, Momcilovic understands that opponents will study his shooting tendencies and develop strategies to limit his opportunities.
If defenders close out aggressively, he must be ready to attack the basket, make the right pass, or find another way to contribute.
That is where his next stage of development becomes important.
Why Momcilovic Wants to Be More Than a Shooter
Speaking during Kentucky’s preseason preparations, Momcilovic acknowledged that much of the feedback he received during the NBA Draft process focused on defense.
He understands that coaches already know what he brings offensively, particularly his shooting. The challenge is demonstrating that he can remain effective when his shot is not falling and that opposing teams cannot easily target him defensively. �
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This is an important distinction for a player with his reputation.
Elite shooting can make a player valuable, but becoming a more complete player can increase his impact on both ends of the floor.
Momcilovic has identified defense as a priority and wants to show that he can handle difficult assignments, including matchups against opposing stars.
He has also spoken about improving his ability to score easier baskets around the rim.
Rather than relying primarily on three-point attempts, he wants to create more opportunities through cuts, layups, and floaters.
Those additional scoring options could make him much harder to defend.
If opponents run him off the three-point line, he would have more ways to punish them rather than simply resetting the offense.
Mark Pope Believes There Is More to His Game
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope is not bringing Momcilovic to Lexington simply because he can shoot.
Pope has praised his offensive skills while highlighting his ability to operate in different areas of the court. The coach has also pointed to his cutting, decision-making, passing development, and potential to contribute defensively. �
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That broader skill set could be important in Kentucky’s offensive system.
Pope values spacing and ball movement, and Momcilovic’s shooting ability naturally creates room for teammates. But the forward can become even more effective if he learns to use the attention he attracts to generate opportunities for himself and others.
For example, when a defender follows him closely around a screen, Momcilovic may be able to cut toward the basket and receive a pass in a better scoring position.
If a second defender moves toward him, he could help create an opening for a teammate.
These decisions do not always appear in highlight reels, but they can make a significant difference over the course of a game.
His improvement as a passer could also help Kentucky’s offense become less predictable.
Momcilovic does not need to become the team’s primary playmaker. Instead, making quick, accurate decisions when defenders pressure him could help the Wildcats maintain their offensive rhythm.
The goal is to make his shooting threat even more valuable by developing the skills that complement it.
Defense Could Determine How Far Kentucky Goes
While Momcilovic’s offensive numbers will attract attention, his defensive development may prove just as important.
Kentucky will face several talented offensive teams in the SEC, where opponents can use physical forwards, athletic guards, and multiple scoring options to challenge defensive matchups.
If Momcilovic can defend reliably, he will give Pope greater flexibility when choosing lineups.
His size provides a useful starting point, but effective defense requires more than physical measurements. Positioning, communication, anticipation, discipline, and the ability to contest shots without fouling are all essential.
Momcilovic has emphasized his desire to become a dependable team defender rather than allowing opponents to view him as a weakness they can exploit.
That commitment will be tested once the regular season begins.
Opposing coaches may attempt to involve him in screening actions and force him to defend players in space. How he responds could determine whether Kentucky can keep him on the floor in difficult defensive situations.
He does not necessarily need to become an elite one-on-one defender overnight.
However, if he can consistently make the right rotations, compete on the glass, and avoid being targeted by opponents, he could become a more complete player.
For Kentucky, that would be a significant bonus alongside his proven shooting ability.
Kentucky Needs His Shooting — But It Also Needs Versatility
Momcilovic’s arrival comes after Kentucky targeted additional perimeter shooting during the offseason.
His 48.7% three-point percentage at Iowa State gives the Wildcats a proven threat capable of changing the geometry of an opposing defense.
That ability could be especially important in close games when defenses become more aggressive and half-court possessions are harder to finish.
But Kentucky will not be successful simply because it has a great shooter.
The Wildcats will need to defend consistently, rebound effectively, move the ball, and generate points when the three-point shot is not available.
Momcilovic’s desire to expand his game fits that larger objective.
By becoming a better cutter, he can find easier opportunities around the rim. By improving his passing, he can punish defensive pressure. By becoming a more dependable defender, he can contribute even on nights when his shooting is below his usual standard.
These improvements would give Pope more options and make Kentucky’s offense more difficult to predict.
They could also help Momcilovic become a more attractive professional prospect by demonstrating that his value extends beyond one elite skill.
Preseason Recognition Has Raised Expectations
Momcilovic’s arrival in Lexington has already generated significant expectations.
On October 12, 2026, he was named to the Preseason All-SEC Second Team, while Kentucky teammate Malachi Moreno earned Third Team recognition. Kentucky was picked to finish seventh in the conference’s preseason poll.
The individual recognition reflects the respect he has earned following his performance at Iowa State.
Nevertheless, preseason honors are predictions, not guarantees of future success.
The challenge now is to reproduce his shooting production against new opponents while showing that he can make a greater impact in other areas.
Kentucky supporters will naturally expect him to knock down difficult shots. That is the skill that made him such an important offseason addition.
But his most significant contribution could come if he combines that shooting with improved defense and a broader offensive game.
If he does, the Wildcats could have a player capable of influencing games in several different ways.
What Should Kentucky Fans Expect From Momcilovic?
The most realistic expectation is that Momcilovic will remain a major perimeter threat while working to expand his contributions.
It would be unreasonable to expect him to transform into a completely different player in a single offseason. His shooting is already an elite strength, and Kentucky should continue to take advantage of it.
The key question is whether he can become more effective when opponents focus their defensive attention on him.
Three developments will be particularly important to watch:
1. More scoring around the basket
Momcilovic wants to create more opportunities for layups, floaters, and other shots inside the three-point line. Doing so could help him maintain his scoring production even when defenders limit his perimeter attempts.
2. Greater defensive reliability
If he can consistently defend his position and avoid becoming a target in opposing offenses, he will provide greater lineup flexibility.
3. Improved passing and decision-making
Making quick decisions against aggressive closeouts could help Kentucky turn Momcilovic’s shooting gravity into opportunities for the entire team.
If these areas improve, he could become much more than a specialist.
Final Thoughts: Milan Momcilovic Has More to Prove
Milan Momcilovic enters the 2026–27 season with an impressive reputation and a clear objective.
His shooting already separates him from many players in college basketball. Leading the nation in three-pointers made and three-point percentage is an achievement that deserves attention.
But the Kentucky forward is not satisfied with being known only for his shot.
He wants to defend better, create easier scoring opportunities, improve his passing, and show that he can remain valuable in different situations.
For Mark Pope and the Wildcats, that ambition could prove important as they prepare for a demanding SEC campaign.
If Momcilovic can maintain his elite shooting while becoming more versatile, Kentucky could have one of the conference’s most dangerous offensive weapons.
The question is no longer whether Milan Momcilovic can shoot. Everyone knows he can. The real question is whether he can become the complete player he believes he can be.
