Milan Momcilovic just dropped 16 points and drilled 4-of-7 from beyond the arc in his Kentucky debut, and if this is what “rusty” looks like, the rest of college basketball is in for a long year. The Wildcats kicked off their exhibition season with a dominant 69-49 win over a Little Rock squad led by former Wildcat standout Travis Ford, but all eyes were on the transfer phenom who finally suited up in blue.
From Transfer Portal Sensation to Wildcat Showstopper
Dude has been on a journey to get here, no doubt. Momcilovic was one of the hottest commodities in the country after lighting it up at Iowa State with one of college basketball’s all-time great shooting seasons. He hit the NCAA transfer portal, then pulled his name out of the 2026 NBA draft, sparking a full-on recruitment frenzy. Every major program wanted him, and they were ready to pay up. But Momcilovic ultimately chose the Kentucky Wildcats, repeatedly citing Mark Pope’s system as the huge factor in his decision. And if his first live action is any indication, it’s a perfect fit. He didn’t waste any time either, scoring the very first points of the 2026-27 Kentucky Basketball season with a silky fadeaway mid-range jumper. Talk about making an entrance!
16 Points, 7 Boards, and an “Oh My” Highlight Reel
Momcilovic’s performance was electric, finishing with 16 points and snagging 7 rebounds. The highlight reel moments were just plain unfair, getting Kentucky fans out of their seats. One play saw him nab a steal, dribble upcourt, go behind the back, and then splash a triple from the top of the key. After the game, talking with Ravi Moss and Andrew Kappes, Momcilovic admitted he was chasing a double-double, “I was looking for my first double-double today, but I fell a little short , I’ll take seven rebounds, though.” He called it a “good debut” but also pointed to some areas for improvement. “Definitely a little rusty on offense. It wasn’t our best performance. We’ll learn from it. That’s why it’s a scrimmage,” he added. He even dropped a hint about his shooting goals, saying that after taking “just” seven 3-point attempts in the game, his aim is to launch double-digit threes every game. This guy is ready to shoot!
This is shaping up to be a special year for Momcilovic, who will be chasing Kentucky’s all-time 3-point shooting record. Jodie Meeks currently holds that mark with 117 made threes. After dropping four from deep in his debut, it’s not crazy to think that record could get a serious push once the regular season truly gets underway. He summed up the team’s exhibition performance perfectly: “I think we just got the jitters out. I think everyone played a little scared, a little timid. But at the end of the day, that’s why we play these scrimmages.” The jitters are out, the shots are falling, and the record book is on notice.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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