Milan Momcilovic has withdrawn from the NBA Draft and there are four schools to watch

Will Mark Pope land Iowa State transfer Milan Momcilovic?

Mar 27, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Milan Momcilovic (22) reacts in the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers during a Sweet Sixteen game of the Midwest Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Milan Momcilovic took it down to the last second but just announced that he will be pulling his name out of the NBA Draft and coming back to college. The race is on, and there are four schools to watch as the sharpshooter looks for his new home.

The four schools that are believed to be in this race are Kentucky, Louisville, St. John’s, and Arizona. Based on fit, the two schools that make the most sense for Momcilovic’s style of play are Kentucky and Louisville. Then, breaking this argument down to money with Mark Pope missing on guys like Tyran Stokes, Donnie Freeman, and Rob Wright III, the Wildcats have a ton of NIL money to offer Momcilovic.

Mar 27, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Milan Momcilovic (22) drives the ball against Tennessee Volunteers forward Jaylen Carey (23) in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the Midwest Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

It sounds like Kentucky is going to throw everything but the kitchen sink at Momcilovic as the staff looks for a star player to add to this roster that is full of players with elite upside. Momcilovic's team has met with all of these schools for weeks now, so I don’t believe it will take all that long for him to find his next school.

In a make-or-break season for Pope and the Wildcats, they really need a player who can bring the elite level of shooting that Momcilovic does. Without Momcilovic, the Wildcats are a serviceable basketball team, but if they land the 6’8 wing, that is when this team could become something special.

Mar 22, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Milan Momcilovic (22) celebrates with Iowa State Cyclones guard Tamin Lipsey (3) after a play during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images | Jeff Le-Imagn Images

This is going to be a very important couple of days for the outlook of the 2026-27 basketball season in Lexington, and it sounds like Pope is going to go all in on landing the Iowa State transfer.

Kentucky is seen as the leader right now to land Momcilovic, so the hope should be that this is done before the weekend. Now that Koa Peat is keeping his name in the draft, Arizona, despite not being the best system fit, could make a run at the sharpshooter Momcilovic. They will also have all of the NIL money they could have given to Peat waiting for Momcilovic.

It will be best for the Wildcats if the 6’8 shooter picks his school sooner rather than later, but Lexington makes the most sense for Momcilvoic based on system fit and the NIL money Kentucky has to offer. If Kentucky lands Momcilovic, the outlook for next season will be very positive.

Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook and YouTube for the latest news.