Milan Momcilovic formally removed his name from the 2026 NBA Draft and told teams he plans to return to college for his senior season, setting off a rapid and high-stakes recruiting process. The 6-foot-8 wing, who emerged last season as one of the most prolific perimeter scorers in the country, entered the transfer portal as one of the top available players and his decision to re-enter the college ranks quickly made him the focus of a major pursuit by several blue-chip programs.
Iowa State's No. 22 drives against a defender during a game — the Cyclones transfer has withdrawn from the NBA Draft amid reported interest from Kentucky, Louisville and Arizona.
Momcilovic finished last season averaging 16.9 points and 3.1 rebounds for an Iowa State team that earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. He sank 136 three-pointers, the most in the nation, and connected on 48.6 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc. That combination of volume and efficiency placed him among a short list of players who, over the past 19 years, have reached the 135-plus three-pointer mark — a group that includes names like Steph Curry, Buddy Hield and Jack Gohlke.
Iowa State player No. 22 on the court during a game — the transfer's decision to leave the NBA Draft has sparked a recruiting push from multiple major programs.
Despite the shooting numbers that made him a household name among college basketball analysts, Momcilovic did not secure a clear first-round projection from NBA teams. Evaluators raised questions about his secondary creation, ball-handling, ability to impact the glass on offense and defending in space. Those on-court concerns, combined with the likelihood that his earning potential as a top college transfer could materially exceed what he might receive as a late pick, contributed to his decision to return to school. Multiple sources indicated his introductory market figure as a college transfer could settle north of $7 million, making him one of the highest-paid players at the collegiate level if he lands a maximal offer.
The immediate fallout from Momcilovic's withdrawal has been intense. Louisville, Kentucky and St. John's have all been reported to be in active discussions with his representatives, and programs such as Texas Tech and Arizona have also entered the conversation. UCLA was referenced in early speculation but is not currently considered a contender in this recruitment, according to people familiar with the process. Momcilovic told reporters at the NBA Draft Combine that after three years in college he understands what questions to ask and won’t need extended campus visits to make a decision, adding he intends to spend only one more season in college.
St. John's presents an attractive on-court fit in several respects. The program would pair Momcilovic with a veteran point guard in Quinn Ellis, a 6-foot-5 floor general acquired from the EuroLeague who figures to be among the Big East's primary playmakers. Under Rick Pitino’s coaching, St. John's would likely use Momcilovic as one element in a balanced lineup that could include Ian Jackson, Donnie Freeman and Ruben Prey, a configuration that on paper projects as a top-20 team. The coaching staff’s emphasis on player development and the availability of a reliable primary ball-handler are often cited as selling points.
There are potential drawbacks to St. John's as well. Pitino's teams are known for an aggressive, full-court, man-to-man press that places heavy physical demands on players, and that style could expose Momcilovic’s limitations defending in space. At Iowa State he was often shielded by a swarming, trapping defense; the Switch-and-Track defensive schemes he would face at St. John's would put more emphasis on his ability to cover ground and defend without help, an area where evaluators have recommended caution.
Kentucky is another program expected to mount a major push. Under Mark Pope, Kentucky has shown an ability to generate open shots for shooters, and recent success stories such as Jaxson Robinson and Koby Brea are often referenced as examples of how the staff can integrate perimeter scorers. The Wildcats' current roster configuration — including returning pieces and incoming guards like Alex Wilkins and Zoom Diallo — could provide the playmaking Momcilovic needs to operate effectively. Adding his shooting alongside players such as Kam Williams and a returning big man like Malachi Moreno would create a roster with clear perimeter spacing and offensive upside.
That projection, however, carries caveats. Kentucky's potential attractiveness comes with several ifs: if Wilkins adapts to the physicality of the SEC, if Diallo cleans up decision-making, if Moreno progresses as expected, and if other young pieces turn their promise into production. Those variables make Kentucky both an appealing and somewhat uncertain destination; the program has the means to produce the largest offer but would also be asking Momcilovic to buy into a roster that still contains developmental questions.
Arizona is also widely considered a strong fit, and perhaps the most basketball-centric option among Momcilovic's suitors. The Wildcats return an imposing frontcourt presence in Motiejus Krivas and a defensive-minded wing in Ivan Kharchenkov, while adding newcomers such as five-star freshman Caleb Holt and transfers Derek Dixon from North Carolina and JJ Mandaquit from Washington. The Arizona system, under a coach who emphasizes an up-tempo, rebound-and-run approach, would likely create transition opportunities and spot-up looks for a shooter of Momcilovic’s profile. Both Mandaquit and Dixon are described as unselfish guards who like to push the pace and generate open transition threes, which aligns with the kinds of shots Momcilovic made at an elite clip last season.
Financially, Arizona may not need to top every offer to be competitive. The program gained some flexibility after Koa Peat elected to remain in the NBA Draft, but retaining Krivas required a significant investment, leaving questions about how big an offer Arizona will ultimately extend. Those budgetary constraints are part of the calculus for both Momcilovic and the schools pursuing him; while the basketball fit is a major consideration, the market for elite transfers has turned monetary compensation into a decisive factor. Recruitments of this magnitude are likely to accelerate in the coming hours and days as schools firm up proposals and Momcilovic’s camp evaluates both the on-court and financial sides of each potential landing spot.
With Momcilovic indicating he wants just one more collegiate season and expressing confidence in his ability to make a prompt choice, the recruitment is expected to move quickly. Programs that can provide a clear on-court role, playmaking partners and competitive compensation appear poised to lead the chase. The combination of elite shooting, size and name recognition has made Momcilovic one of the most consequential transfers on the market, and his final decision will be closely watched by coaches, roster planners and media alike as the transfer landscape continues to evolve.