Milan Momcilovic has become the darling of Mark Pope's 2026-27 recruiting class, and I'm not here to argue against that status at all. The five-star transfer forward will have the offense built around him in Lexington, and if he comes close to repeating his previous 17-point, 48% from long range averages, he could outright change Coach Pope's tenure with Kentucky for the better.
But the Wildcats' secret weapon may be one spot up, at the four position. Ousmane N'Diaye has drawn Kevin Durant comparisons for a reason, and regardless of those seeming outlandish for the time, they aren't entirely baseless.
N'Diaye, a 22-year old international prospect that has played professionally overseas for years, comes in at 6-foot-11 and has drawn distant NBA attention for a while now. His move to the collegiate level, if he can play to his ceiling, should skyrocket his exposure on that level.
Momcilovic scoring at his usual rate is one thing, but throw in a KD-like lengthy forward that can score on multiple levels into the lineup right next to him and you've got a virtually unstoppable duo.
His tape was drawing attention online, per Arman Jovic, earlier this year on X:
6-11 Ousmane Ndiaye is having a strong season with
— Arman Jovic (@PDTScouting) April 10, 2026
Vanoli Cremona
The 2004 born Senegalese forward is averaging 10.3 Points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.7 stocks per game this season on 26.8 MPG in Serie A competition
Twitchy movements, can space the floor, runs the floor very well,… pic.twitter.com/xHGKz3vjXR
N'Diaye's KD-Like Tape
N'Diaye gets out on the fast break with lightning speed, more often than not forcing straggling defenders to get out of the way rather than try and contest on a jam. His defensive versatility - the man averaged nearly two blocks per game with Vanoli Cremona - is a compelling facet, too.
Where the Durant comparisons become most prevalent, at least to me, is in the way N'Diaye is able to dribble and move despite his size. He can shoot the ball effectively off the dribble and is hard to defend, even on the perimeter. N'Diaye's release is basically hipfire fast as well; he's a natural scorer.
I'm not saying our guy is going to pan out as an NBA legend on the same level as Durant, not at all. But his shades of the Texas Longhorn legend's game are undeniable, and Kentucky could be in for a real surprise in the best way if Pope can get him to play into those tendencies.
It should help N'Diaye that, in addition to Momcilovic helping to carry the scoring weight, Kentucky has a backcourt defined by two high-rate passers and, on the other end of the lineup, Malachi Moreno's special ability to pass at the five.
This is all assuming N'Diaye starts, of course, but I'd wager that's the case given the construction of this roster and his early involvement in it. N'Diaye is more than a project pickup for the Wildcats' frontcourt.
If the chips fall the right way, we could be in for a nationally relevant talent that instantly succeeds on the collegiate level due to his professional experience. He's "Baby Durant," if you will.
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