Milan Momcilovic, the 6‑foot‑9 forward who completed his college season at Iowa State, has officially withdrawn from the NBA Draft, opening the door for a high‑profile transfer cycle.
The decision has sparked a vigorous recruitment race, with the Kentucky Wildcats emerging as the clear front‑runners. CBS Sports analyst Natt Norlander, along with On3 insiders Pete Nakos and Joe Tipton, have all indicated that Kentucky is the most likely destination.
Louisville remains a serious contender, but St. John's has been ruled out after the program secured another top recruit, narrowing the field.
Industry watchers expect Momcilovic to announce his decision within days, possibly before the weekend, and the financial package he could command — estimated at $5‑7 million for the upcoming season — places him among the highest‑paid college athletes in recent memory.
Recruiting Landscape
While Kentucky appears to be the frontrunner, other programs such as Baylor and Iowa State are still mentioned, though they trail far behind the Wildcats in the current projections.
The episode highlights how the transfer portal is reshaping college basketball, turning elite prospects into marquee earners whose market value rivals that of professional athletes.