Milan Momcilovic has been the talk of the town ever since the Iowa State star withdrew from the 2026 NBA draft and announced his intention to return to college basketball. With multiple big-name teams looking for his signature, the 21-year-old has quickly risen near the top of major transfer-portal rankings.
While St. John’s and Louisville are two of the teams in contention for the 6-foot-8 forward, Mark Pope’s Wildcats have been widely reported as the frontrunner by multiple sources. While there have been no official announcements yet, analysts have weighed in on Momcilovic’s potential impact on the Wildcats roster.
While speaking on the “Locked On Kentucky” podcast, analyst Lance Dawe claimed signing Momcilovic would benefit Mark Pope and the Wildcats not just for this season, but also for the seasons to come. Dawe said:
“It could butterfly effect into something so much bigger than we’re currently looking at right now because it’s not just about this season. It’s about the future of this program trying to maintain their status, not their blue blood status, but their competitive nature that they have suddenly lost over the last half decade plus where they’re not winning in the NCAA tournament.”
Dawe emphasized that Momcilovic becoming the missing piece in Mark Pope’s national championship hopes can, in turn, lead more top recruits to consider the Wildcats over other schools.
While Mark Pope has had massive shoes to fill, replacing a Wildcats legend in John Calipari, Kentucky has fallen short in the NCAA Tournament for the last two years. Despite a reported $22m spent, the team has only been able to garner a Sweet 16 and a second-round finish.
How Can Milan Momcilovic Help Kentucky?
While Kentucky have been rumored to be the most active in the Milan Momcilovic sweepstakes, Rick Pitino’s St. John’s and Pat Kelsey’s Louisville have also tried their luck at convincing the Iowa State star. However, St. John’s backed off from a potential recruitment battle shortly after signing Baylor transfer Tounde Yessoufu.
For Kentucky, acquiring Milan Momcilovic would push the team into “Top 10, Top 15 talks,” per Dawe, addressing the team’s lack of athleticism and inconsistent shooting. Dawe said:
“They’re not disciplined. They’re injured. Their depth is lacking. They’re not as athletic as they used to be. You get a player like Momchilovic who takes your team up into top 15, top 10 status. You have a season.”
While the talks of Milan Momcilovic’s possible move to Kentucky haven’t progressed far yet, the team has completed a Zoom call with him. Although Louisville has also had a successful call with Momcilovic, according to reports, Mark Pope is still believed to have a better overall offer for the Iowa State star.
Read More:
Mark Pope’s Kentucky Future Depends on Milan Momcilovic’s Arrival, As Per NCAA Analyst
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