The NBA Draft deadline was May 27 at 11:59 p.m. ET, and Pat Kelsey and Louisville basketball fans had their eyes glued to one guy, waiting to see what his announcement would be. Milan Momcilovic is the Cardinals' glaring No. 1 target at the moment, and Louisville fans have been waiting to see if the 5-star transfer was going to withdraw his name from the draft or keep his name in the draft and try to go to the NBA.
Louisville basketball anxiously awaits massive Milan Momcilovic decision
Well, Louisville basketball fans finally got the massive update they were looking for last night around 10 p.m. ET, as Pete Thamel reported the 5-star transfer withdrew his name from the draft and is now the No. 1 player in the Transfer Portal.
Former Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic is withdrawing from the NBA draft and returning to college, his agents at @excelbasketball told me and @jeffborzello. Momcilovic, the best shooter in the country last season, is the No. 1 player in the portal and remains uncommitted. pic.twitter.com/5uUfJSTGrE
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) May 28, 2026
Pat Kelsey will try to complete Louisville's superteam after Milan Momcilovic's update
The Cardinals have been among the few teams linked to Momcilovic this offseason, as they battle Kentucky, St. John’s, and Arizona early on. The 5-star transfer is one of the best 3-point shooters in the nation, as this past season he knocked down a Division I basketball-high 136 3’s while shooting a Division I basketball-high 48.7 percent from beyond the arc.
The Cardinals are trying to build a ‘superteam’ this offseason, as they have already landed the No. 1 overall transfer in the portal, Flory Bidunga, who earlier withdrew his name from the NBA Draft. Now, Kelsey is looking to pair Bidunga with Momcilovic in his frontcourt. The Cards' frontcourt was its glaring weakness this past season, but if Kelsey can land Momcilovic over Kentucky, St. John’s, and Arizona, it is safe to say next season it will be its glaring strength.
Louisville is a Final Four contender as the roster stands, as the Cardinals have landed nine commitments this offseason, including six transfers from the portal and three from the 2026 recruiting class. And if Kelsey has one last magic trick and lands Momcilovic, Louisville has a chance to emerge as a National Title favorite and to be ranked inside the top five when the season starts.
The Cardinals' roster needs a pure 3-point specialist, and Louisville fans have made it clear they would like one more true power forward on their roster. Momcilovic is the perfect fit for both of those needs, as the 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward averaged 16.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.7 made 3’s per game this past season, while shooting 50.6 percent from the field.
Louisville got the massive update they were hoping for, and now it is time for Kelsey to put his recruiting hat on one last time this offseason and try to land his third 5-star this offseason.
Also read: Louisville basketball fans dream of perfect 5-star transfer for Final Four push
For all the latest news and updates on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.
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