Iowa State's Milan Momcilovic declares for NBA draft, enters portal

Sharpshooter led nation in 3-pointers, helped Cyclones reach Sweet 16

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:10am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic motion of a college basketball player, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in the official colors of the Iowa State Cyclones, conceptually representing the transition and evolution of the team's roster.Momcilovic's departure leaves a void in Iowa State's lineup, but opens the door for new talent to emerge and carry on the Cyclones' basketball legacy.Ames Today

Iowa State standout Milan Momcilovic has declared for the 2026 NBA draft and also entered his name into the transfer portal. Momcilovic led the nation this season with a school-record 136 3-pointers and averaged 16.9 points per game, helping the Cyclones reach the Sweet 16 for the second time in his tenure.

Why it matters

Momcilovic's departure is a significant loss for Iowa State, as he was a key contributor to the team's success over the past three seasons. His decision to enter the NBA draft and transfer portal raises questions about the future of the Cyclones' program and their ability to replace his scoring and shooting production.

The details

In his three seasons at Iowa State, the 6-foot-8 Momcilovic compiled a 13.2 scoring average in 102 games (101 starts) and made a school-record 260 3-pointers, which is tied for second-most in program history. This past season, he led the nation with 136 made 3-pointers while shooting 48.8% from beyond the arc.

  • Momcilovic declared for the NBA draft on Sunday, April 13, 2026.
  • He also entered his name into the transfer portal on the same day.

The players

Milan Momcilovic

A 6-foot-8 sharpshooter who led the nation in 3-pointers made and 3-point percentage during the 2025-26 season, his third with the Iowa State Cyclones.

T.J. Otzelberger

The head coach of the Iowa State Cyclones, who praised Momcilovic's contributions to the program and wished him well in pursuing his NBA dreams.

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What they’re saying

“The last three years have been the best of my life, and (Iowa State fans) have been a major part of that. It has always been a dream of mine to play in the NBA.”

— Milan Momcilovic

“Milan and I have had meaningful discussions about his future over the last couple of weeks. He needs to focus on what is best for him and his family. 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.”

— T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State head coach

What’s next

Momcilovic will now focus on preparing for the 2026 NBA Draft, while also exploring transfer options if he decides not to remain in the draft.

The takeaway

Momcilovic's departure is a significant loss for Iowa State, as he was a key contributor to the team's success over the past three seasons. His decision to enter the NBA draft and transfer portal highlights the challenges mid-major programs face in retaining top talent, especially when those players have the opportunity to pursue their professional dreams.