The Kentucky Wildcats wrapped up their 2025-26 college basketball campaign in a tough manner. As a No. 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the program fell short in the second round against the highly regarded No. 2 seed Iowa State Cyclones.
This early exit marked a challenging end to the season for the blue blood program. Fans and analysts alike expected more from a team with such storied history, but the reality of March Madness delivered a harsh reality check.
In the months that followed, head coach Mark Pope and his coaching staff faced significant hurdles in rebuilding through the transfer portal. The Wildcats brought in four new players while seeing seven depart, resulting in a transfer class that sits 16th within the SEC and 79th nationally.
Despite these obstacles, the program is actively pursuing ways to bring in high-level talent to strengthen the roster. One notable target comes directly from the squad responsible for their final defeat of the year.
On Thursday, Rivals reporter Jacob Polacheck shared an update indicating that Kentucky has engaged with a standout forward from Iowa State. This development signals the Wildcats’ interest in adding proven Big 12 talent to their lineup.
“Kentucky is eying a big fish in the transfer portal,” Polacheck wrote. “Sources tell KSR that Kentucky recently had a Zoom meeting with Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic. The 6-foot-8, 210-pound power forward is testing the NBA Draft waters.”
Momcilovic proved to be a reliable performer for the Cyclones, starting in every one of their 37 contests during the previous campaign. Hailing from Pewaukee, Wisconsin, the forward delivered impressive numbers, posting a career-best 16.9 points per game along with 3.1 rebounds and 1.0 assist.
Beyond his scoring output, Momcilovic demonstrated strong efficiency as a shooter. He converted 50.6 percent of his field goal attempts and an exceptional 48.7 percent from three-point range, making him a versatile threat on the offensive end.
His consistent contributions earned him recognition as a member of the All-Big 12 second team. With an extra year of eligibility remaining, the forward stands out as one of the premier available options in the current transfer landscape.
Industry evaluations further highlight his value. On3 rankings place him as a four-star prospect and the third overall player among those entering the portal this offseason, underscoring the potential impact he could have at a new destination.
Momcilovic continues to weigh his professional prospects, including a possible push toward the 2026 NBA Draft. Several programs are likely competing for his services as he navigates this important decision in his career.
Should the Wildcats successfully secure his pledge, Momcilovic would represent their second addition at the forward position via the portal. He would join Justin McBride, who previously played for the James Madison Dukes, in bolstering Kentucky’s frontcourt depth for the upcoming season. This pursuit reflects a strategic effort by Pope’s staff to address roster gaps while targeting players with immediate experience and proven production at a high level.
The coming weeks could prove pivotal as Kentucky aims to elevate its standing heading into the next campaign.
