Milan Momcilovic, the No. 1 overall player in this year’s transfer portal class per ESPN, is returning to college basketball for the 2026-27 after NBA flirtations, according to multiple media reports.
The reports emerged Wednesday night, mere hours before the 11:59 p.m. deadline by which players had to remove their name from NBA draft consideration in order to maintain their eligibility.
Where Momcilovic will play next after spending the last three seasons at Iowa State remains to be seen. He entered the transfer portal and declared for the NBA draft on April 12, and multiple media outlets reported that Arizona, Kentucky, Louisville and St. John’s are the primary schools involved in his recruitment.
Whichever school he chooses will be landing one of college basketball’s premier sharpshooters. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 16.9 points and shot a nation-best 48.7% from 3-point range last season. He left Iowa State tied with Naz Mitrou-Long (2012-17) for second in school history in career 3-pointers made with 260, 10 behind leader Jake Sullivan (2000-04).
He backed that up at this month’s NBA Scouting Combine in Chicago, making almost 69% of his shots in the four shooting drills.
The number of power programs involved in Momcilovic’s recruitment could drive up the price tag to land him. CBS Sports reported that he might make more than $7 million for the upcoming college season.
