Milan Momcilovic: "I Could Get More Money in College Than an NBA Contract Right Now," and He Still Might Say No

Alright, hoop heads, let's talk about something absolutely wild brewing in the college basketball world, because Iowa State's Milan Momcilovic is facing a choice that would blow most of our minds. This dude, who just came off a historic 2025-26 season, is staring down a massive payday in college. We're talking more cash than a typical NBA rookie deal, and yet, he's prioritizing something else entirely. Get ready for this.

Historic Shooter, NBA Dreamer

Momcilovic’s last season? Absolutely bananas. The man wasn't just good from deep, he was historically good. He led the entire country with a mind-blowing 136 made 3-pointers. And get this: he also topped the charts by shooting a ridiculous 47.8% from long distance. That's not just a good year, folks. That’s a *historic* year. It's the first time in men’s basketball history that one player has led the nation in both those stats in a single season. Can you even imagine that kind of accuracy? Now, off that incredible performance, Momcilovic did what any rising star would do: he tossed his name into the 2026 NBA Draft pool. He's already crushed the combine, and he's got individual workouts lined up with teams trying to figure out where he stacks up on their boards.

Money Talks, But Does He Listen?

Here's where it gets truly wild. If those NBA workouts don’t give him the feedback he’s gunning for, a return to college is totally on the table. And if he comes back? Forget about it. The NIL offers this guy is fielding are insane. He’s got until May 27 to pull his name from the draft and keep his college eligibility. When Ben Roberts of the Lexington Herald Leader asked him about the figures, Momcilovic just grinned and said, "Ehhhh, I’m not going to share them right now." But he admitted something huge. "I mean, I could get more money in college , that’s the bottom line , than a contract in the NBA right now," Momcilovic acknowledged. Let that sink in for a second. More money in college than a pro contract! If he came back, he'd be one of the highest compensated players in college basketball, no doubt. But here’s the kicker: Momcilovic is saying money isn't his top priority. Seriously. He even declared for the draft and entered the transfer portal with a "do not contact" tag because he's so locked in on getting drafted. He emphasized that if he *does* end up returning to college, it's all about the right fit with a team, not who throws the biggest bag at him. He literally said, "I’m not gonna go money hunt for like the top school that offers me the most money." Kentucky, St. John's, and Louisville are apparently in the mix if he decides to make that switch, but his focus is laser-sharp on the NBA. So, what’s it gonna be? The NBA dream or a historic payday? Momcilovic has until May 27 to make his call. This isn’t just about money for him, it’s about chasing that ultimate goal. We'll all be watching to see how this plays out.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.