Louisville basketball’s dominant offseason might not be done just yet. The Cardinals have already landed six transfers from the Transfer Portal and three recruits from the 2026 recruiting class, and it appears Pat Kelsey is aiming big still.
3 biggest offseason Louisville basketball worries still nagging at Pat Kelsey
Louisville’s frontcourt is in much better shape right now, as the Cardinals started big by landing Flory Bidunga, and then 5-star center Obinna Ekezie Jr., and along with those 5-star centers, they added 4-star power forward Alvaro Folgueiras. Now, when looking at a position Kelsey needs, Louisville fans make it clear that it is the power forward, as they want just one more true power forward.
Well, the name everyone is keeping a close eye on is Iowa State transfer, Milan Momcilovic.
Louisville in a 3-team battle with 5-star Milan Momcilovic if he returns to college
Right now, the NBA Combine is underway, and Momcilovic made it clear his No. 1 goal is to go to the NBA this offseason and declare for the 2026 NBA Draft. However, if things don’t work out for him, he is open to going back to college, and it appears Louisville is still alive in a huge 3-team battle for the 5-star center, according to Isaac Trotter
“The deadline is the 27th of May,” stated Momcilovic, on when he has to either declare for the draft or head back to college. “I still have a couple of weeks.”
Iowa State sniper transfer Milan Momcilovic dishes on his stay-or-go decision, what he’s looking for in college and what he needs to hear from NBA decision-makers to stay ahead of the May 27 deadline.
— Isaac Trotter (@Isaac__Trotter) May 13, 2026
Kentucky, St. John’s and Louisville are in the mix here. pic.twitter.com/x7Iqw2xYnh
The other two teams in the mix are, of course, Kentucky, which hosted him for a Zoom interview, and St. John’s. The Cardinals need a true power forward, and they need a 3-point specialist, and Momcilovic is a two-for-one package deal.
If Louisville were to land Momcilovic, they would get one of the best 3-point shooters in college basketball, but also a 6-foot-8 elite power forward.
This past season with Iowa State, the 5-star transfer averaged 16.9 points and 3.1 rebounds while shooting 50.6 percent from the field and 48.7 percent from beyond the arc. His impressive 136 made 3’s and 48.7 3-point percentage each ranked No. 1 in Division I basketball, while his 3.7 made 3’s per game ranked No. 5.
It won’t be easy for Louisville to earn his commitment, as the NBA is clearly his No. 1 goal, but if he does return, it appears Louisville is in a battle with its in-state rival, Kentucky, for the No. 2 overall transfer in the portal.
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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