Milan Momcilovic, the Iowa State forward who has been projected as one of the most lethal three‑point shooters in the 2026 draft class, announced that he will not enter the NBA Draft and will instead stay in the NCAA transfer portal.
Why Kentucky is the Front‑Runner
During his three‑year stint with the Cyclones he averaged 13.2 points per game and shot 42.8 percent from beyond the arc, and in the 2025‑26 season he elevated those numbers to 16.9 points and a 48.7 percent three‑point clip, the best in the nation, while hitting 136 treys in 37 games.
The news comes as the University of Kentucky, still reeling from a season that saw seven scholarship players enter the portal and a preseason ranking that left them outside the top tier, is positioning itself as the leading destination for the sharpshooter.
Coach Mark Pope finds himself in a recruiting duel with Rick Pitino of St. John’s and the Louisville staff, while Arizona and St. John’s also remain on the list of potential suitors.
Analysts say the decision could be announced as early as this weekend, and if Momcilovic chooses Lexington, his addition could be the catalyst that pushes the Wildcats deeper into the NCAA tournament after their recent Sweet‑16 exit.