The Kentucky Wildcats desperately wanted to get power forward Milan Momcilovic in the transfer portal.
Momcilovic was the top-ranked player in the transfer portal after having a magical junior season for the Iowa State Cyclones.
As a 6-foot-8 junior out of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, Momcilovic was the best shooter in the country. He averaged 16.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per game for the Cyclones while shooting 48.7% from three-point range, which led all NCAA shooters.
The Wildcats and head coach Mark Pope are desperate to get back into the championship picture after two disappointing March Madness runs in a row, and they got a first-hand look at what Momcilovic was capable of.
He helped ISU knock Kentucky out in the second round of this past tournament by putting up 20 points and five rebounds in an 82-63 Iowa State win. He hit four of nine three-pointers in that contest.
Perhaps that was the catalyst that made Kentucky go after Momcilovic in the transfer portal. Whatever it was, the Wildcats were successful, but they had to pay a pretty penny to land the sharpshooter.
New Kentucky PF Milan Momcilovic making $6 million in 2026 via NIL
In the recently released On3 NIL valuation rankings, Momcilovic is ranked as the No. 2 highest-paid college athlete heading into 2026 and the top college basketball player.
He’s expected to make around $6 million in NIL earnings.
“When Iowa State’s Milan Momcilovic initially entered the transfer portal, many believed he was bound for the NBA draft. But after pulling his name out of the draft in late May, he quickly became the top available transfer remaining in the portal. His portal battle came down to Kentucky and Louisville, with the Wildcats ultimately landing the big man. Set to be in the $6 million range this season, he immediately improves the Kentucky roster,” wrote Pete Nakos.
Speaking of the Louisville Cardinals, their big-time transfer portal win, former Kansas center Flory Bidunga, is No. 3 on the valuation list. He’s expected to make around $6 million as well with the Cardinals in 2026.
Momcilovic and Bidunga are both looking up at former Duke Blue Devils star and current Miami Hurricanes quarterback Darian Mensah. The Hurricanes reportedly had to shell out $6.5 million to win Mensah in the transfer portal.
