Kentucky Basketball continues to be connected to the top name that is currently in the transfer portal and is also going through the NBA Draft process, with Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic, who is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about players in the country.
Momcilovic had a tremendous season for the Cyclones, averaging 16.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1 assist per game while shooting 50.6% from the field and an elite 48.7% from 3-point range on 7.5 attempts per game.
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Now, with the talented forward testing the NBA Draft waters, programs around college basketball are reportedly preparing major NIL offers if he decides to return for another season.
CBS Sports National College Basketball Writer Isaac Trotter discussed the situation and specifically mentioned Kentucky as one of the schools that could make a huge financial push.
“I think the number for Milan (Momcilovic) is closer to 6 million dollars at Kentucky or maybe even higher than that, which is just bonkers,” Trotter said on The Assist with Kyle Tucker.
Trotter also explained that Momcilovic could potentially make even more money in the long term if he stays in college basketball for multiple seasons under the “five-and-five” eligibility model.
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“I asked him point-blank, like how much is even like the five-and-five rule coming into play, where he could have two more cycles of this,” Trotter said. “You’re Milan Momcilovic, you have two more cycles of college basketball, that is $12 million dollars right there that he could potentially bank.”
Despite the massive money potentially on the table, Trotter said Momcilovic still appears focused on reaching the NBA.
“He still said not really a factor for me, I want to play in the NBA,” Trotter added. “If I come back to school, I only want to stay for one more year and then go.”
Trotter went on to mention several schools that could aggressively pursue Momcilovic if he withdraws from the draft process, including Kentucky, Louisville, and St. John’s.
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“And then we obviously know Kentucky had a huge offer on the table for Tyran Stokes, you could see a big amount of that funnel toward Momcilovic,” Trotter said. “So he will get paid big time regardless in college basketball next season if he chooses that route.”
May 27 is the NCAA withdrawal deadline for the NBA Draft. Don’t expect a decision to happen until then as UK anxiously awaits a decision from Momcilovic.
