Milan Momcilovic is reaching the first fork in the road since he transitioned into college basketball. The choices are simple at face value, but full of implications. On one hand, the forward can join the NBA draft process and get his moment in the professional game. On the other hand, he can return to college basketball as one of the top names in the country.
It’s, of course, a first-world problem that not every college athlete gets. However, risks surround both paths. Here’s a detailed look at both options for the Iowa State forward.
Why Milan Momcilovic Should Join the NBA
At this point, Milan Momcilovic’s resume is NBA-worthy. Many believe him to be a borderline first-round pick. Most would say that if you have an opportunity to make the jump to the NBA, you take it, because one never knows what can happen the following season.
Injuries are always a risk, and plenty of other factors can impact one’s production and hurt their stock. Momcilovic already has three seasons with double-digit points per game, including a .487 three-point percentage in 2025 (Sports Reference), the highest in the conference. If he’s good enough to get in, many would argue to make the leap upon crossing that threshold.
Why Milan Momcilovic Should Stay in College
In Milan Momcilovic’s situation, with room to improve his draft stock, returning for one more year could give him a better resume, which would serve as the ladder up the draft board. The higher in the draft one is selected, the more time they have to get their feet under them and get momentum. This results in a greater paycheck.
With only three years of play under his belt in the NCAA, Momcilovic has plenty of time to recover if he has a down season in successive years, although a down season might force him to the edge of the eligibility wall.
In the end, while temping, Momcilovic has more to gain by staying back for a season than rushing into the NBA. His decision to drag out his choice until the last day, Wednesday per Chris Beasmore on X, makes it seem like the forward has given the decision a lot of thought, potentially toward staying put.
Depending on where he lands and how things may go wrong in the NBA, it might be more lucrative to stay where the earnings are good for one more season before taking arguably the last mammoth-sized risk of one’s basketball career.
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