Milan Momcilovic Transfer Portal: Top Programs Are Circling
May
The college basketball offseason just got a lot more interesting. Milan Momcilovic, the sharpshooting forward who spent the spring testing the NBA waters, has officially withdrawn from the 2026 NBA Draft and will return to college for his senior year. The Milan Momcilovic transfer portal process is now in full swing, and programs across the country are scrambling to make their pitch to one of the most dangerous offensive players in the sport today.
Why Momcilovic Withdrew From the 2026 NBA Draft
Momcilovic did everything right during the pre-draft process. He received a combine invitation and lit up shooting drills, reinforcing what college basketball fans already knew: the 6-foot-8 Iowa State forward is one of the purest perimeter shooters in recent memory. But impressing at the combine and securing a guaranteed first-round slot are two very different things, and without that guarantee, returning to school became the logical call.
NBA scouts acknowledged his shooting as elite but flagged concerns around his ball-handling, ability to create off the dribble, and defensive engagement. Those are correctable weaknesses, and one more year of college basketball is the right environment to address them. A second-round contract typically guarantees between one and two million dollars. A dominant senior season changes that conversation entirely.
The Numbers That Put Him in Historic Company
To understand why the Milan Momcilovic transfer portal race is drawing national attention, you have to look at what he produced at Iowa State last season. He averaged 16.9 points per game while shooting 48.7 percent from three-point range on heavy volume, finishing the year with 136 made threes. That total places him among a very small group of college players to reach that mark over the past two decades, with names like Steph Curry and Buddy Hield in the same conversation.
He was not just a catch-and-shoot threat either. Moving off screens, operating in ball-screen actions, and hitting smooth midrange fadeaways made him genuinely difficult to game-plan against. Standout performances included 34 points and eight made threes against Cincinnati, 29 points against Oklahoma State, and another eight-three explosion against Arizona in the Big 12 Tournament. Senior year, with added freedom and experience, could push him into Wooden Award discussion.
Which Programs Are Leading the Milan Momcilovic Transfer Portal Race?
Kentucky and Louisville have reportedly been involved since before he entered the draft process. Arizona’s interest intensified after signs emerged that Koa Peat would remain in the NBA Draft, leaving the Wildcats with a meaningful need at the forward spot. St. John’s, coming off a strong season of their own, has also pushed hard and is viewed as a genuine contender. Each program brings name recognition, resources, and a competitive situation that could appeal to a player entering what may be his final college campaign.
Iowa State technically remains an option. Coach T.J. Otzelberger has praised Momcilovic publicly throughout the process and left the door open for a return to Ames. Over three seasons with the Cyclones, Momcilovic contributed to 83 wins and two Sweet 16 appearances, becoming one of the defining players of that program’s resurgence. Most observers, however, expect a fresh start elsewhere when this process concludes.
NIL Offers Could Reach Seven Million Dollars
Money is central to this decision in ways that were not possible even three years ago. Reports indicate NIL offers for Momcilovic could climb well past seven million dollars, a number that makes nearly any second-round NBA contract look less attractive by comparison. The programs pursuing him have the collectives, the boosters, and the brand infrastructure to make a serious financial argument for staying in school.
This is the new landscape of college basketball. Elite players who are not locked first-round picks often benefit more from an additional college season, refining their draft stock while simultaneously earning significant NIL income. Momcilovic holds full leverage in this situation, and he can afford to take his time and choose the destination that makes the most sense both competitively and financially.
What This Means for College Basketball in 2026-27
Wherever the Milan Momcilovic transfer portal decision ultimately lands, that program immediately becomes a preseason top-ten team. A 6-foot-8 shooter connecting on nearly half his three-point attempts reshapes offensive schemes, stretches defenses beyond what they can reliably guard, and creates driving and cutting lanes for every teammate on the floor. The ripple effect of his commitment will be felt across every program in his new conference.
For fans of the sport, this is exactly the kind of offseason story that sets the table for a compelling season ahead. The recruiting battle will play out over the coming weeks, with a commitment likely arriving before midsummer. Until then, the Milan Momcilovic transfer portal race stands as the most closely watched storyline in college basketball right now.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Milan Momcilovic withdraw from the NBA Draft?
Momcilovic withdrew because a guaranteed first-round selection was not secured. Scouts praised his shooting ability but raised concerns about his ball-handling and defensive engagement. Returning to college gives him the opportunity to develop those areas and re-enter the draft next year with significantly stronger leverage.
Where is Milan Momcilovic expected to transfer?
No commitment has been announced as of late May 2026. Kentucky, Louisville, St. John’s, and Arizona are the programs most consistently mentioned in reports. A return to Iowa State is technically possible but considered unlikely by most observers close to the situation.
How much NIL money could Milan Momcilovic earn?
Reports suggest offers in the range of seven million dollars or more. That figure substantially exceeds most second-round NBA contracts, which typically guarantee between one and two million dollars across multi-year deals, making the financial case for staying in school a strong one.
What were Milan Momcilovic’s stats in his junior season?
He averaged 16.9 points per game and shot 48.7 percent from three-point range, finishing with 136 made three-pointers on the season. That combination of volume and efficiency ranks among the best single-season shooting performances in college basketball over the past two decades. For more context on elite college basketball performance, the NCAA men’s basketball hub tracks historical stats across all divisions.