Iowa State’s Milan Momcilovic Enters NBA Draft and Transfer Portal: What His Decision Says About 2026 Class
Milan Momcilovic is hedging his bets, and you cannot really blame him.
The Iowa State forward entered both the 2026 NBA Draft and the transfer portal this offseason, giving himself maximum flexibility as he weighs whether to chase a pro career or play another year of college basketball. Momcilovic has until May 27 to withdraw from the draft and maintain his college eligibility, the standard early-entry deadline that has shaped late-spring decision-making in the sport for years.
Momcilovic is projected as a second-round pick in most current mock drafts, with some boards having him sneak into the back of the first round depending on team need. That is a tricky place to be. A second-round projection means no guaranteed contract, no guaranteed roster spot, and the very real possibility of starting his career on a two-way deal that bounces him between the NBA and the G League. The first round comes with guaranteed money and significantly more stability.
So why hedge with the portal? Because if Momcilovic decides to return to college, he might not want to go back to Iowa State. The Cyclones lost head coach T.J. Otzelberger in the offseason after his hot streak of NCAA Tournament appearances and have spent the spring transitioning to a new staff. That kind of turnover affects everyone on the roster. Momcilovic is keeping his options open in case he wants to land at a program with more clarity heading into 2026-27.
The decision matters beyond just Momcilovic. The 2026 NBA Draft is shaping up to be one of the deepest classes in years. BYU’s AJ Dybantsa is the consensus No. 1 pick after averaging 25.5 points per game in college. Duke’s Cameron Boozer has declared. Santa Clara’s Allen Graves declared after a breakout freshman season and could go late in the first round. The lottery is loaded with international prospects, one-and-done freshmen, and a handful of polished upperclassmen.
In a deep draft, second-round projections become more dangerous. Teams have so many talented players to choose from that the gap between pick 25 and pick 45 widens significantly. A player who might have been a fringe first-rounder in a weaker class can fall to the back end of the second round in a deep one. That dynamic is going to affect a lot of draft decisions this week.
Momcilovic averaged a productive 14 points per game last season for Iowa State while showing improved playmaking and defensive instincts. At 6-foot-8 with shooting touch and positional versatility, he has the kind of skill set NBA teams covet in modern role players. The question is whether one more college season would help him climb into more secure draft territory or whether the timing is right to take the leap now.
The portal aspect is going to attract serious bidders. Top-25 programs always need experienced shooters who can play multiple positions. Momcilovic could probably land in a starting role at a contender if he wants to commit to college for another year. The NIL money would be real. The visibility would be high. The path to a better draft slot in 2027 would be there.
Whatever Momcilovic decides, the next few days are going to define the trajectory of his basketball career. The deadline is real. The choice is real. The rest of the 2026 class is watching to see what he does, because his decision will affect how others approach the same question.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
