Milan Momcilovic’s path out of Iowa State ended up paying off in a big way.
After entering the 2026 NBA Draft and then pulling out, the sharpshooter was no longer part of the Cyclones’ plans. By that point, Iowa State had already moved on in the transfer portal, locking in five additions before Momcilovic made his final call. He eventually chose Kentucky, and the Wildcats clearly weren’t shy about the price tag.
That decision came with a massive NIL haul. On3’s updated top 10 list of NIL valuations across college sports now measures what athletes are making right now, rather than projecting future market value, and Momcilovic sits at No. 1 in men’s basketball and No. 2 overall. His valuation is listed at $6 million, trailing only Miami (FL) quarterback Darian Mensah, who transferred from Duke to an ACC rival this offseason.
For Momcilovic, that number represents a level of money he almost certainly wasn’t going to touch by staying in Ames. It also would have been out of reach had he stayed in the 2026 NBA Draft, where he was viewed as a fringe prospect who could have gone undrafted.
Men’s basketball players fill most of the top of the list. Flory Bidunga, who moved from Kansas to Louisville, is No. 3 with a $6 million valuation, and Louisville is said to be spending about $20 million on its roster.
Tounde Yessoufou comes in at No. 6 after withdrawing from the 2026 NBA Draft and transferring from Baylor to St. John’s. His $5 million valuation likely helped push the market for players like Momcilovic even higher.
Florida forward Thomas Haugh is No. 7. Like Yessoufou, he was projected as a first-round pick but chose to return to college.
Massamba Diop, who transferred from Arizona State to Gonzaga, checks in at No. 9 with a $5 million valuation.
The top 10 is rounded out by freshman Tyran Stokes, the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2026. He’s headed to Kansas after choosing the Jayhawks over Kentucky.
In Other News...
This Transfer Could Change Everything For Mark Pope At Kentucky
Mark Pope is heading into his third season at Kentucky with the kind of roster churn that has become routine in college basketball, but this summer has still carried real stakes. The Wildcats lost several players to the NBA draft and the transfer portal, then started piecing things back together with returning contributors and new additions, all while trying to keep pace in a league where continuity is never guaranteed.
One of the more intriguing pieces is Milan Momcilovic, a 6-foot-8 forward who brings a proven scoring track record from Iowa State after three seasons there. He averaged 16.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per game last season and was a regular starter for a Sweet Sixteen team, which gives Kentucky something it has needed as the frontcourt picture comes into focus. The question now is how quickly that production translates in Lexington, and whether this move ends up being the one that steadies the offseason and changes the ceiling for Popes team. [Read more 🡒]
Milan Momcilovic Just Gave Kentucky Fans Another Reason To Believe In Mark Pope
Milan Momcilovics path to Kentucky came with a little more texture than the usual recruiting story, and it helps explain why Mark Pope has already built some real buzz around the program. In an interview with UK Sports Network, Momcilovic said he made his commitment while standing in his driveway, then reached out to Pope after weighing what the Wildcats could offer him on and off the floor.
What stood out most was how much familiarity mattered in the decision. Momcilovic said he already knew Popes coaching style from games against BYU while he was at Iowa State, and the trust he felt in that relationship helped push him toward Kentucky. For a fan base trying to get a read on Popes vision, it is another sign that the appeal is not just about a new coach, but about a system players believe can fit them. [Read more 🡒]
Kam Williams Is Already Selling New Wildcats On Rupp Arena
Kam Williams is already doing part of the onboarding work for Kentuckys newest faces, and the message starts with Rupp Arena. The sophomore forward knows what it sounds like when the building gets rolling, and he has been making sure teammates understand that the home-court edge in Lexington is not just a talking point. Williams described the place as exceptionally loud and unlike the other venues Kentucky will see, which is exactly the kind of detail newcomers need before they experience it for themselves.
For Mark Pope, that atmosphere is only part of the bigger picture as he shapes the roster for the upcoming season. Kentucky is trying to blend more shot-making, more versatility and more depth into a team that can play the style Pope wants, and Williams early role has been as much about helping the group settle in as anything on the floor. The Wildcats still have plenty to sort out, but the combination of a demanding home environment and a roster built to stretch the floor gives this group a clear identity to chase. [Read more 🡒]