Milan Momcilovic Is Taking His Shot at the NBA, and the Transfer Portal Just Got a Whole Lot More Interesting

Iowa State's Milan Momcilovic is making his move. The Cyclones star forward announced Sunday that he's entering the NBA draft and throwing his name into the transfer portal, immediately becoming the top available player in the portal this offseason. The 6-foot-8 scorer is projected as a second-round pick in June's draft, but he's keeping his options open with both avenues available.

The Best Shooter in the Country Just Went Pro

Here's the thing about Momcilovic: he was the best shooter in college basketball last season. The numbers back it up. He averaged 16.9 points per game while shooting 48.7% from three-point range, which ranked first in the country in three-point shooting percentage. He also ranked fifth nationally in total three-pointers made. Those aren't just good stats; those are "can't-miss shooter" numbers.

His single-game performances tell the story of a guy who could get absolutely hot. He dropped 34 points with eight threes against Cincinnati. He lit up Oklahoma State for 29 points and five threes. And in the Big 12 tournament against Arizona, he went for 28 points and eight threes. That's the kind of scoring punch that NBA teams are hunting for in June's draft.

Three Seasons That Built Something Real

Momcilovic spent three seasons in Ames, Iowa, and they were productive ones. Iowa State went 83 games over that stretch and made two Sweet 16 appearances. He thanked the program on social media, saying "the last three years have been the best of my life" and that playing in the NBA has always been his dream.

Coach TJ Otzelberger kept it classy in his response. "He needs to focus on what is best for him and his family," Otzelberger said. "We can't thank him enough for what he has done for our program. We look forward to following him as he pursues his dream of playing in the NBA."

Momcilovic is one of three major pieces Iowa State is losing this offseason. Four-year starting point guard Tamin Lipsey and All-American forward Joshua Jefferson are also out, though they've exhausted their eligibility rather than entering the portal or draft.

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