Iowa State’s Milan Momcilovic Withdraws from NBA Draft
The No. 1 player in the college basketball transfer portal confirmed that he will be playing college basketball next season. The question is where?
Former Iowa State power forward Milan Momcilovic has officially withdrew his name from the 2026 NBA Draft, per his agency, Excel Basketball. He will be heading back to college basketball, but not to Iowa State. It's the name, image, and likeness (NIL) era in college sports, so the question is which school will pony up the most money and set the most attractive table for Momcilovic's services?
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Why Milan Momcilovic is Forgoing the NBA, At Least for This Year:
Despite going through the NBA Draft process, Momcilovic decided to forgo the opportunity and spend another year in the college ranks. Per ESPN, he was ranked No. 38 in a recent mock draft, which would've made him a second round draft pick.
Unlike first round picks in the NBA, players selected in the second round are not guaranteed standard rookie contracts. Teams must negotiate those specific players' salaries and contract lengths with their respective agents. It's a sad fact that most second round draft picks in the NBA don't end up being long-term players in the league. Many are relegated to the developmental G League, earning sparing, if any, NBA minutes/opportunities. A lot opt to play overseas instead. For every Nikola Jokić, there's a Brandon Boston Jr, who is one of the better second round picks given that he actually played in the NBA for a bit. Now, he's playing basketball in Turkey.
Where Could Momcilovic Play Next?:
Several schools are expected to be interested in Momcilovic's services, as he's now the No. 1 player in the transfer portal given most athletes have signed contracts with colleges. Schools reportedly interested in Momcilovic include:
- Kentucky
- Louisville
- St. John's
- Arizona
Last year, Momcilovic, who is 6'8'', averaged 16.9 points and shot 48.7% from three-point range for Iowa State. He had a breakout game against Cincinnati, where he netted 34 points, including eight three-pointers. His talents should bring immediate impact wherever he lands. Learn more about Milan Momcilovic withdrawing from the upcoming NBA Draft on KWWL's website.