Milan Momcilovic made NCAA history by leading the country in both three-pointers made and three-point percentage. At 6-foot-9, and with that kind of shooting record, he was bound to draw attention from top programs after choosing to return to college instead of entering the NBA Draft.
He was considered one of the top players in the transfer portal, and Kentucky was eager to add a major talent after missing out on several earlier targets. The Wildcats reportedly offered him more than $6 million in name, image and likeness compensation. To earn that much in a single year through the NBA, he likely would have needed to be selected at least eighth overall. So far, the move seems to be working well for both sides.
Momcilovic opened the season with 24 points in 28 minutes against Manhattan, making six of his nine attempts from beyond the arc. It was an immediate reminder of the range of his offensive game, and a pretty compelling start to his time in Lexington.
Kentucky faces a demanding SEC schedule, along with a major non-conference matchup against Kansas in the Champions Classic. The Jayhawks are led by Tyran Stokes, a potential No. 1 NBA draft pick. Against a younger forward in that kind of spotlight, Momcilovic will have a chance to show why Kentucky invested so heavily in him.
How did Momcilovic end up at Kentucky?
Momcilovic has an interesting family background. His surname has Serbian roots, as does that of another rising NCAA player, Nikola Kusturica.
His parents, Nikola and Zorica, moved to the United States during the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s. Milan was born in 2004 and grew up in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, where he became a standout on his high school team. He won three straight state championships before emerging as a highly ranked recruit and committing to Iowa State.
Basketball was a natural fit. Wisconsin has a substantial Serbian community, and Momcilovic grew up around a culture where the sport holds a special place.
He has not yet settled on which country he might represent internationally; he remains eligible for both Serbia and the United States. For now, he has more than enough to keep him occupied on the court.
His game is centered on perimeter shooting. In his junior season, he averaged 7.5 three-point attempts per game and made 48.7 percent of them. That combination gives Kentucky a mobile, athletic forward who can stretch the floor and shoot at an exceptional rate.
Momcilovic also moves well without the ball, runs the floor and can create openings in transition. He is able to get a shot off while moving, too. Comparisons based on his position and shooting make sense, though his game has its own mix of strengths.
Where does Mark Pope see Momcilovic fitting in?
After Kentucky’s season-opening win, coach Mark Pope said Momcilovic’s shooting would help open up the floor for the rest of the team. He noted that the forward draws defenders toward him, creating more room for teammates to attack and making the offense easier to operate.
Momcilovic had a quieter outing against James Madison, scoring seven points and making one of eight three-point attempts as Kentucky won 89-80. Even so, the Wildcats have reason to believe he can help them in the biggest games of the season.
The JMU game also showed that his time in Lexington may have its rough patches. A bigger stage brings more attention from defenders and greater expectations, and producing consistently is a challenge of its own.
It also showed that Kentucky does not need Momcilovic to carry the offense every night. Kansas will be a tougher test, certainly, but having teammates who can step up when his shot is off should help ease the pressure as he adjusts to his new role.
