Former Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic was widely regarded as the top player in the transfer portal after the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season ended. Now, he has found a new home with one of college basketball’s blueblood programs.
Momcilovic recently withdrew from the 2026 NBA Draft to return to college, and he announced on Monday night that he will play for the Kentucky Wildcats and head coach Mark Pope next season.
College Basketball World Reacts As Milan Momcilovic Joins Kentucky Wildcats
Momcilovic took to X to announce the news, and Big Blue Nation went wild.
BBN!💙 pic.twitter.com/2MB1iYREk8
— Milan Momcilovic (@MilanMomcilovi5) June 2, 2026
As soon Momcilovic announced his commitment to Kentucky, the college basketball world had plenty of strong reactions.
Jon Rothstein, the college basketball insider for CBS Sports, offered some context around what Momcilovic brings to Kentucky.
“Milan Momcilovic made 136 three-point shots last season at Iowa State and is tailor made to play for Mark Pope at Kentucky,” Rothstein posted on X. “His addition immediately makes the Wildcats a Top 15-20 team entering the 2026-27 season.”
Milan Momcilovic made 136 three-point shots last season at Iowa State and is tailor made to play for Mark Pope at Kentucky.
His addition immediately makes the Wildcats a Top 15-20 team entering the 2026-27 season. https://t.co/9A9YZUL4Gn
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) June 2, 2026
Ryan Hammer, host of the BlueBlooded podcast, pointed out that Momcilovic is the best shooter in college basketball and a massive commitment.
“Aanndddddd BOOM. … Best shooter in the nation & one of the best CBB has ever seen is headed to Kentucky … Cannot overstate how damn important this is for BBN. Huge bag to get him & they need him,” Hammer posted on X.
Aanndddddd BOOM.
Best shooter in the nation & one of the best CBB has ever seen is headed to Kentucky 🔵
Cannot overstate how damn important this is for BBN. Huge bag to get him & they need him. pic.twitter.com/voEehEPsK8
— Ryan Hammer🔨 (@ryanhammer09) June 2, 2026
Jeff Borzello, ESPN’s college basketball insider, chimed in as well.
“BREAKING: Iowa State transfer Milan Momcilovic, the best shooter in the country and the No. 1 player to enter the portal this spring, has committed to Kentucky,” Borzello posted on X.
BREAKING: Iowa State transfer Milan Momcilovic, the best shooter in the country and the No. 1 player to enter the portal this spring, has committed to Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/Xn8Q1ECei3
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) June 2, 2026
The Field of 68 co-founder Jeff Goodman also shared his thoughts about Kentucky’s big acquisition.
“Kentucky just added a winner, a culture guy, and the best three-point shooter in the country in Milan Momcilovic to a team that sorely needed it,” Goodman said.
“Kentucky just added a winner, a culture guy, and the best three-point shooter in the country in Milan Momcilovic, to a team that sorely needed it”@GoodmanHoops on a HUGE addition for Mark Pope 👀
🎥: https://t.co/vWU5yqjCdu pic.twitter.com/Wly5WBeSOz
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) June 2, 2026
Aaron Torres, a host for Fox Sports Radio, gave a ton of credit to Pope, who had been under fire for missing out on a number of targets in the transfer portal. Now, with the addition of Momcilivic and Malachi Moreno returning to Kentucky next season, there’s a ton of optimism surrounding this team.
“Credit Mark Pope. There was no move left to make if he didnt get Milan Momcilivic,” Torres posted on X. “Now, he got two guys (Momcilivic, Malachi Moreno) who conceivably could’ve been drafted in the Top 35 this year with otherwise excellent core. Would have UK in the Top 20 headed to next year.”
Credit Mark Pope. There was no move left to make if he didnt get Milan Momcilivic.
Now, he got two guys (Momcilivic, Malachi Moreno) who conceivably could’ve been drafted in the Top 35 this year with otherwise excellent core.
Would have UK in the Top 20 headed to next year pic.twitter.com/JgIQTZBChJ
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) June 2, 2026
“Truly a season-altering commitment for Kentucky and the biggest addition of Mark Pope’s career. Milan Momcilovic is a perfect fit and unlocks the best version of everyone else on the roster. Worth the wait (and cost). Well done, Pope,” Jack Pilgrim of Kentucky Sports Radio added on X.
Matt Jones, also of Kentucky Sports Radio, also raved about the move.
“Last thing…Milan and Moreno is basically like getting two Top 7 players from the Portal class (I know Moreno is returning but it wasn’t certain) … That’s massive and we should celebrate it after a lot of worry about Portal season,” Jones posted on X.
Last thing…Milan and Moreno is basically like getting two Top 7 players from the Portal class (I know Moreno is returning but it wasn’t certain)
That’s massive and we should celebrate it after a lot of worry about Portal season
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) June 2, 2026
Tony Jones, who covers the Philadelphia 76ers and the NBA for The Athletic, predicted that the Wildcats will cause trouble for opposing teams next season.
“Kentucky is gonna be a monster next season. Mark Pope cleaned up in the portal,” Jones posted on X.
Pope and Kentucky needed a splashy addition from the transfer portal, and Momcilovic is exactly that.
