Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats are beginning to heat up in the transfer portal, and one of the biggest names now firmly linked with the program is Iowa State standout Milan Momcilovic. According to reports from On3�, Kentucky recently held a Zoom meeting with the highly sought-after forward, signaling serious interest in bringing one of college basketball’s most dangerous shooters to Lexington.
Momcilovic, a native of Wisconsin, emerged as one of the breakout stars in the nation during his junior season with the Iowa State Cyclones. The 6-foot-8 forward elevated his game to another level, averaging 16.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per contest while shooting an outstanding 50.6 percent from the field. His offensive efficiency, confidence, and ability to stretch the floor instantly made him one of the most attractive players available in the transfer portal.
What truly separated Momcilovic from many of the other forwards in college basketball was his elite perimeter shooting. In an era where spacing and outside scoring are more valuable than ever, the talented forward proved he could be a game-changing weapon from beyond the arc. He knocked down an astonishing 48.7 percent of his three-point attempts while averaging 7.5 shots from deep per game. Those numbers are not just impressive — they are elite by any standard in modern college basketball.
For Kentucky and Mark Pope, adding a player with that level of shooting ability would be massive. Pope’s offensive system thrives on floor spacing, ball movement, and perimeter efficiency, making Momcilovic an almost perfect fit for the Wildcats’ style of play. His ability to create scoring opportunities without dominating the ball could immediately elevate Kentucky’s offense and provide the kind of veteran leadership and consistency championship contenders need.
Momcilovic’s breakout season did not go unnoticed nationally. The talented forward earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors, placing him among some of the top names in the country, including projected NBA lottery talent Darryn Peterson and Richie Saunders of BYU Cougars. Receiving that recognition in one of the toughest conferences in America only strengthened his reputation as a legitimate high-level prospect capable of making an immediate impact wherever he lands next.
However, Kentucky’s pursuit of Momcilovic comes with a major layer of uncertainty. While he officially entered the transfer portal in early April, the talented forward also declared for the NBA Draft process and will participate in the upcoming NBA Draft Combine in Chicago from May 10 through May 17. That event could ultimately determine whether he returns to college basketball or decides to begin his professional career immediately.
At the moment, opinions around the league appear divided regarding Momcilovic’s NBA future. Some analysts view him as a late first-round prospect due to his elite shooting and offensive upside, while others project him somewhere in the middle of the second round because of questions surrounding his defense and overall athleticism. That uncertainty leaves the door wide open for programs like Kentucky to make a convincing push.
The Wildcats are believed to view Momcilovic as one of the premier remaining options in the portal, especially considering the team’s continued focus on adding experienced talent capable of contributing right away. Pope has already emphasized the importance of surrounding his roster with skilled, mature players who can help Kentucky compete immediately in the loaded Southeastern Conference.
There is also growing belief that Momcilovic could follow a path similar to Yaxel Lendeborg, who tested NBA interest before ultimately returning to the college level after not receiving guaranteed first-round assurances. If Momcilovic’s camp does not secure a clear promise from an NBA franchise, a return to college basketball could become the smartest move for both his development and long-term draft stock.
Should Kentucky manage to land him, the fit appears almost seamless. Momcilovic’s combination of size, shooting touch, and offensive versatility would give the Wildcats another elite scoring threat while opening the floor for the rest of the roster. His presence at the power forward position could completely transform Kentucky’s spacing and provide Pope with one of the most dangerous offensive lineups in the country.
Beyond the statistics, Momcilovic brings confidence, high-level experience, and proven production against elite competition. Those qualities are incredibly valuable for a Kentucky program looking to reestablish itself among college basketball’s true national title contenders.
The recruitment is still developing, and much will depend on the NBA Draft process over the next few weeks. But one thing is already clear: Kentucky is aggressively pursuing impact talent, and Milan Momcilovic has quickly become one of the most intriguing names connected to the Wildcats this offseason. If Pope can pull this off, Big Blue Nation may have every reason to believe something special is building in Lexington
