Milan Momcilovic: Iowa State's Rising Star Earning NBA Draft Comparisons
The 2025-26 season has been nothing short of historic for the Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team. With a remarkable 16-game winning streak to kick off the year, it's no surprise that individual player performances are drawing significant attention, and rightfully so. Among the standout talents making a considerable impact is sophomore forward Milan Momcilovic.
A Junior Season of Elevated Expectations
Heading into his junior campaign, Milan Momcilovic understood that the landscape of collegiate basketball would shift. Opposing teams, now intimately familiar with his scoring prowess, would undoubtedly place him at the forefront of their defensive game plans. Yet, this increased scrutiny has done little to deter Momcilovic from delivering consistently impressive performances. His continued development and offensive firepower have positioned him as a strong contender for a second-round selection in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft, largely propelled by his exceptional shooting ability.
The Svi Mykhailiuk Comparison: A Testament to Shooting Prowess
The impressive trajectory of Momcilovic's game has not gone unnoticed by basketball analysts. Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report has recently highlighted an intriguing professional comparison for the Iowa State sharpshooter: Svi Mykhailiuk. This comparison is rooted in a shared, elite shooting ability that has defined both players' collegiate careers.
Svi Mykhailiuk, a former standout for the Kansas Jayhawks, truly came into his own during his four years in Lawrence. As a senior, he led the Big 12 Conference in three-point shooting percentage, converting an impressive 44.4% of his attempts. Momcilovic is currently on a similar, if not more dominant, pace this season, leading the entire nation with a remarkable 52.0% clip from beyond the arc. This statistical alignment in long-range accuracy is the most striking parallel between the two players.
Beyond the Arc: Developing Offensive Versatility
While shooting is the undeniable common thread, the comparison extends beyond just hitting threes. Mykhailiuk possessed a more developed playmaking ability in his offensive repertoire during his time at Kansas, averaging 2.7 assists per game in his final season. Momcilovic, while not primarily a facilitator, averaging around one assist per game, compensates with a more advanced and diverse offensive arsenal. He demonstrates the capability to score effectively from all three levels of the court and has cultivated an array of effective moves in the mid-post, making him a more multifaceted scoring threat.
Physical Attributes and Defensive Outlook
Physically, both players share a similar build, standing at 6-foot-8. However, Momcilovic appears to possess a stronger frame, weighing in at 220 pounds compared to Mykhailiuk's listed 195 pounds at Kansas. This added weight and muscle could provide Momcilovic with a distinct advantage in guarding a wider range of forwards at the professional level, potentially enhancing his defensive capabilities.
Despite the physical differences, Mykhailiuk's collegiate success and shooting prowess were enough to earn him a selection as the No. 47 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. This draft range is precisely where Momcilovic is currently projected to land when the 2026 NBA Draft arrives.
NBA Draft Prospects: A Steady Climb
Milan Momcilovic has steadily been climbing NBA Draft Big Boards, solidifying his position as a legitimate prospect in the latter half of the second round. His elite shooting is a highly coveted skill in today's NBA, and if he can further demonstrate defensive capabilities and adaptability during pre-draft evaluations, his stock is likely to soar even higher. The combination of his shooting touch, offensive versatility, and developing physical tools makes him a compelling prospect for NBA teams looking to add immediate shooting impact and future potential.
As the Iowa State Cyclones continue their impressive season, all eyes will be on Milan Momcilovic, not just for his contributions on the court, but for his promising future in professional basketball.
