Milan Momcilovic withdraws from the 2026 NBA Draft

[jbhtexas]

Milan was the #1 3pt shooter in the nation last year, and he still didn't make the cut in the NBA. Next year he will be 12 months older (detriment to NBA) and he will probably not repeat as the #1 3 point shooter; so making the NBA next year is not guaranteed unless he makes a huge improvement defensively. I wonder if TJ still has a chance. Or maybe Milan is taking the max money today, while discounting his long term professional role.

The old saying is - never ask your barber if you need a haircut. Milan's agent is his barber.

In addition, MM struggles to create his shot and he doesn't rebound well.

Some here were making Niang comparisons. I remember the big comeback against OU in Hilton. Hoiberg spread the floor, and Niang took over...he drove his man to the hoop and scored...repeatedly. I don't recall seeing MM ever doing much of that against conference-level defenders, which is another limitation of his game. IMO Niang was a significantly more well-rounded player coming out of college than MM is now.

I think it is redunculous that someone would pay $7 million to MM given where his game is, but I can't fault him one bit for grabbing the cash.

 

[drmwevr08]

In addition, MM struggles to create his shot and he doesn't rebound well.

Some here were making Niang comparisons. I remember the big comeback against OU in Hilton. Hoiberg spread the floor, and Niang took over...he drove his man to the hoop and scored...repeatedly. I don't recall seeing MM ever doing much of that against conference-level defenders, which is another limitation of his game. IMO Niang was a significantly more well-rounded player coming out of college than MM is now.

I think it is redunculous that someone would pay $7 million to MM given where his game is, but I can't fault him one bit for grabbing the cash.

Maybe, but the NBA didn't want any of the round part, they wanted him to stand around and hit 3s.

 

[CyState85]

Let’s say ISU can somehow pony up $3 million for MM next year. Many are saying he is getting offered $5 million+.

Is it worth the risk to go play in a new system at a less successful program with other guys who are chasing the NBA just like you? I figure the best bet is stay in the system that made you successful, work on the one knock you have on your game (defense) and be the focal point of a group of guys playing for each other.

If he goes to Louisville, they have virtually nobody from last year.

 

[FerShizzle]

Let’s say ISU can somehow pony up $3 million for MM next year. Many are saying he is getting offered $5 million+.

Is it worth the risk to go play in a new system at a less successful program with other guys who are chasing the NBA just like you? I figure the best bet is stay in the system that made you successful, work on the one knock you have on your game (defense) and be the focal point of a group of guys playing for each other.

If he goes to Louisville, they have virtually nobody from last year.

He’s not going to be a cyclone next year.

 

[Clonefan94]

Maybe, but the NBA didn't want any of the round part, they wanted him to stand around and hit 3s.

He’s withdrawing, something was missing from his game or he’d still be in the draft.

 

[enisthemenace]

Let’s say ISU can somehow pony up $3 million for MM next year. Many are saying he is getting offered $5 million+.

Is it worth the risk to go play in a new system at a less successful program with other guys who are chasing the NBA just like you? I figure the best bet is stay in the system that made you successful, work on the one knock you have on your game (defense) and be the focal point of a group of guys playing for each other.

If he goes to Louisville, they have virtually nobody from last year.

In the immortal words of Johnny Utah, “He’s not coming back”.

Kentucky is my guess.

 

[AuH2O]

Why do people care if fans want MM to fail. That comes from passion for their school and team. That passion is the reason a guy can go make millions of dollars to do something completely meaningless.

I’m an ISU fan only. I want ISU players to do well, and guys playing against the hawks to do well. Otherwise I’m fine with every other guy being terrible.

But my college sports fandom is about dead. I’ll watch but just have greatly diminished interest. This past FB season was the least I watched since Chiz. Sorry, a one year FA model with huge salary disparity unlike any mainstream pro sport just has little interest to me. I’m just going to try to watch when I can and have some enjoyment from it, but I’ve lost tons of interest. I used to be a crazy CFB fan. I was the guy buying the preseason magazines and reading them from cover to cover. Then I pretty much stopped watching non-ISU games.

 

[Tailg8er]

He’s withdrawing, something was missing from his game or he’d still be in the draft.

He's withdrawing because he wasn't getting picked in the 1st round. Do you know how many players are in the NBA that weren't picked in the 1st round? Just because he's taking a bigger guaranteed payday for this year, doesn't mean he wouldn't be in the NBA otherwise.

 

[CyState85]

Well aware that he is not coming back.

He’s not going to be a cyclone next year.

Well aware he is not coming back, but there is a lot of gamble in going to another program at this point.

 

[FinalFourCy]

Well aware that he is not coming back.

Well aware he is not coming back, but there is a lot of gamble in going to another program at this point.

There is very little gambled in getting paid like a lottery pick

Given there’s huge roster changes in all these programs, he’s essentially getting a multiple million premium to pick the uncertainty of UK over the uncertainty at ISU. New coaches, teammates, and roles at both

He should know more about ISU, but that works both ways. It could be part of why the uncertainty of joining a different roster at UK is preferable- while getting paid millions more to take that risk. He should have a cushy role there

 

[Texbudman]

This is pretty much my POV as well. I value highest the guys that continue to be Cyclones once they've left/graduated, just like us. That's why someone like Gary Thompson is so revered, and while they're certainly not at that level, guys like Tyrese, Niang, Shirley and I'm guessing Tamin will be the same.

How do we know that Milan won’t feel the same way about Iowa State in the future? He did spend three years here and has a great relationship with TJ

 

[drmwevr08]

He’s withdrawing, something was missing from his game or he’d still be in the draft.

Niang's been in the league a decade, perhaps you misunderstand.

 

[Clonefan94]

Niang's been in the league a decade, perhaps you misunderstand.

I guess I did, I thought you were talking about Milan. and what the NBA wanted from him, apologies.

 

[Drew0311]

I am not rooting for him to fail. He left the right way. He was on a chat the other night after he pulled out and he said "Cyclone for Life". Some others have left and thrown us under the bus or not even commented. TJ helped Milan make the decision.

 

[FDCy83]

MM is leaving the best way he could, to allow ISU to sign transfers. TJ has a roster spot if MM doesn't find a better fit. I don't blame Rocco or other football seniors for following CMC. Learning a new system your last year and not knowing if you position coach is bringing in 'his guy' and risking playing time would be tough. Just like the PSU guys who left when CMC was hired.

 

[Cyched]

Why do people care if fans want MM to fail. That comes from passion for their school and team. That passion is the reason a guy can go make millions of dollars to do something completely meaningless.

I’m an ISU fan only. I want ISU players to do well, and guys playing against the hawks to do well. Otherwise I’m fine with every other guy being terrible.

But my college sports fandom is about dead. I’ll watch but just have greatly diminished interest. This past FB season was the least I watched since Chiz. Sorry, a one year FA model with huge salary disparity unlike any mainstream pro sport just has little interest to me. I’m just going to try to watch when I can and have some enjoyment from it, but I’ve lost tons of interest. I used to be a crazy CFB fan. I was the guy buying the preseason magazines and reading them from cover to cover. Then I pretty much stopped watching non-ISU games.

Not wishing ill on Milan, but agree with all this.

I normally love CBB, but outside of ISU games and the tournament, this past season was the least amount of college hoops I've watched in a long time. Some of it is getting older and having more competing interests, but I'm definitely less fired up to catch a random game at night or on the weekend.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

This will maybe be the best thread ever if he comes back to ISU.

CF Nirvana

 

[AllInForISU]

I am not rooting for him to fail. He left the right way. He was on a chat the other night after he pulled out and he said "Cyclone for Life". Some others have left and thrown us under the bus or not even commented. TJ helped Milan make the decision.

I disagree with most of this post. Leaving the “right way” is a joke of a statement, who is the gatekeeper of “The Right Way”?

There is essentially no difference between what Milan is doing and what Tyrese Hunter did and most people, including me, couldn’t stand that move either.

If he wants to leave, fine. I get it. I don’t like it but I get it. But you don’t get to claim “Cyclone for life” after choosing to leave to go to another school. That’s some BS.

 

[Clones2023]

The crappy thing is is that it’s all about money. Milan knew all along that he was a 2nd round pick. He was never a 1st round pick throughout the year. Tj and him had a convo at the year end and Milan’s agent knew what he was worth. If we gave Milan 6 mil our team would be **** next year. Tj basically said good riddance. If people actually think Milan wants to be a cyclone are crazy. It’s money you guys lol. That’s all it is. I hope he goes to these teams with 5 the star talent already (like Kentucky, Louisville) and I bet he’ll realize how fun it was in Ames. Those teams have TALENT. You think the the other 5 stars on those teams don’t want to show out? Get the popcorn.

 

[madguy30]

The crappy thing is is that it’s all about money. Milan knew all along that he was a 2nd round pick. He was never a 1st round pick throughout the year. Tj and him had a convo at the year end and Milan’s agent knew what he was worth. If we gave Milan 6 mil our team would be **** next year. Tj basically said good riddance. If people actually think Milan wants to be a cyclone are crazy. It’s money you guys lol. That’s all it is. I hope he goes to these teams with 5 the star talent already (like Kentucky, Louisville) and I bet he’ll realize how fun it was in Ames. Those teams have TALENT. You think the the other 5 stars on those teams don’t want to show out? Get the popcorn.

Source?