Say what you want about Mark Pope's shortcomings this offseason - you can, and have, said a lot, BBN - but all it takes is reeling in one big fish to turn things around. In place of the now maligned Tyran Stokes, Kentucky simply needs to click in an equivalent star to raise the ceiling for next season.
Enter: Milan Momcilovic. The Iowa State forward is a name Wildcats fans know all too well; not only did the score-first wing flame Kentucky in the Round of 32 in this past NCAA Tournament, but since the transfer portal opened, Cats fans have been keen on calling his name online.
And now, per Jacob Polacheck, Kentucky has officially hosted the portal star for a Zoom meeting. As Momcilovic continues to test the NBA Draft pool, the Wildcats seem to be chief among the programs in wait if does decide to return to college hoops.
Milan Momcilovic is the Big Fish
In his junior campaign with the Cyclones, Momcilovic averaged 17 points per game and shot a lethal 48.7% clip from long range. He's essentially a pure scorer, but that's exactly what Kentucky needs to plug into a projected starting lineup that is otherwise built around one.
The big threat to Kentucky's chances here may be Momcilovic's apparent one-track mind regarding the professional level. At this current juncture, the forward's desire to be drafted is seemingly limiting the blue and white, as well as other interested parties, in their contact.
Breaking: Kentucky recently hosted Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic for a Zoom meeting, sources tell KSR.
— Jacob Polacheck (@PolacheckKSR) May 7, 2026
Momcilovic is also testing the NBA Draft waters.
FREE: https://t.co/415LSrEeyh pic.twitter.com/ZB9FO7IMrf
Entering what would be his senior year, Momcilovic has all the tools to plug into any high-major lineup as the go-to guy. It helps that, for the time being, the hopeful Cat is being projected in the mid-to-low second round in mock drafts across the board.
If he wants to push his stock into the first round, one more year - in Lexington, to be precise - could do it.
A "Get it Done" Guy
Momcilovic is a textbook "get it done" guy; whatever it takes to add a quintessential piece such as this one, if you're Coach Pope, you almost have to get it done.
Maybe that's just the perspective of a biased Kentucky fan who wants a dedicated scorer on this near-complete roster, but can you blame me? Momcilovic appears built for a spitfire Mark Pope offense, and given Kentucky's assumed share of leftover NIL money as a result of missing on the aforementioned Stokes, the blue and white have the tools to make it happen.
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