Milan Momcilovic, the Iowa State transfer who dominated the NCAA with a 16.9‑point average and a record 136 three‑pointers last season, announced that he is withdrawing from the NBA Draft. The decision comes despite earlier expectations that the sharpshooter would hear his name called in the second round, a slot that typically guarantees a contract worth $2‑3 million per year.
Recruitment landscape
The field of suitors is already shaping up. Kentucky and Louisville have emerged as the front‑runners, but St. John’s and the University of Arizona are also in the mix, each offering distinct academic and athletic environments that could influence the player’s next step.
Financial calculus
What makes Momcilovic’s calculus especially compelling is the prospect of name, image and likeness (NIL) earnings. Analysts project that a full‑scale NIL package could net him between $5 million and $7 million, a figure that far outstrips the guaranteed earnings of a typical second‑round deal.
If Momcilovic elects to stay in school, he would likely become a preseason All‑American and could see his marketability soar, especially given his reputation as the best shooter in America. The combination of a high‑profile college platform and lucrative NIL agreements makes the return to campus an attractive alternative to the modest guarantees of a second‑round contract.
The coming weeks should clarify whether the player will indeed choose college over the NBA, a decision that could reshape his financial trajectory and set a precedent for other elite prospects weighing similar options.