**Chicago - Iowa State’s Milan Momcilovic is redefining what it means to be an elite jumpshooter in college basketball. Leading the nation with a staggering 49.3 percent from beyond the arc, Momcilovic has become a standout performer in Division I. But even the best shooters face moments of doubt.
Momcilovic shared, “I would always think something is wrong with my shot. Maybe I’m not holding my follow-through.
Maybe the arc on the ball is not the best.” To tackle these doubts, he turned to sports psychology, adopting a simple yet effective technique: focusing on a single word before shooting-“Jellybean.”
This mental trick seems to be paying off. Momcilovic is not just shooting better; he's leading the charge with 134 made 3-pointers this season, despite not ranking in the top 20 for attempts. His performance has earned him second-team All-Big 12 honors and he’s averaging a team-high 17.2 points, crucial for Iowa State as they prepare to face Tennessee in the Sweet 16.
Momcilovic’s journey began in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, where he first met Dr. Matthew Myrvik, a sports psychologist.
While he excelled in high school, college presented new challenges. His freshman year saw him shooting 36 percent from beyond the arc, a respectable figure but not up to his personal standards.
This dip affected his confidence, leading his father to encourage sessions with Myrvik, who has NBA experience with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Through these sessions, the concept of “jellybean” emerged. “(Dr.
Myrvik) suggested using a food item. I don’t know why I picked ‘jellybean,’” Momcilovic explained.
The word serves as a mental reset, primarily in practice, to keep unwanted thoughts at bay. This focus has translated into improved performance-Momcilovic now boasts a 51.2 percent field goal percentage and an impressive 87.8 percent from the free-throw line.
Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger noticed the transformation, stating, “Now, he’s imposing his will on everything… He just keeps himself in such an unbelievable mental place.” The focus on confidence and separating process from results has been pivotal, with Momcilovic consistently stepping up his game.
Reflecting on his growth, Momcilovic said, “The first two years, I questioned my confidence and not being the same player every game. This year I’ve been way more consistent, and the sessions helped with that.”
With March Madness in full swing, Momcilovic’s shooting prowess could propel Iowa State to new heights. And who knows, his unique approach might even land him a jellybeans NIL deal.
“My agent said he heard something,” Momcilovic hinted. “So we’ll see.”
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