[The following scouting report is part of a series on potential 2026 draft prospects from Sports Business Classroom alumni.]
Milan Momčilović
Frame: 6’8″, 225 lbs
Position: Forward
Team: Iowa State Cyclones
2026 Draft Age: 21
Stats via sports-reference.com
Offense
Momčilović is a modern stretch forward whose value is anchored in shooting gravity, spacing intelligence, and scalable offensive skills. He immediately impacts defensive coverage by forcing bigs to guard in space. His shooting mechanics are compact and repeatable, with a high release point that makes his jumper difficult to contest. He is most effective as a catch-and-shoot threat from the perimeter, particularly in trail situations, pick-and-pop actions, and when relocating after penetration. Defenses that sag or stunt late are punished quickly, and his confidence as a shooter keeps defensive rotations honest.
Momčilović has shown comfort shooting on the move, particularly off flare screens and quick pop actions. He doesn’t require a heavy dribble package to be effective, which enhances his offensive scalability, a critical NBA evaluation point. His offensive efficiency improves when the game is simplified, and possessions flow through guard creation. He understands spacing, timing, and shot readiness, which allows him to generate high-value attempts without over-dribbling or stalling offensive rhythm.
Momčilović is not a one-dimensional scorer, either. He is a capable straight-line driver against hard closeouts, using his frame to shield defenders and finish with touch rather than explosiveness. He shows an excellent feel for attacking mismatches against slower bigs and can convert short roll opportunities with one or two dribbles. His handle is functional, not dynamic, but sufficient to prevent closeouts from becoming overly aggressive.
Playmaking is a secondary, but developing aspect of his offensive game. Momčilović demonstrates basic passing reads, kick-outs to shooters, interior dumps when help rotates, and ball movement to maintain offensive flow. He is not a creator for others at this stage, but he processes the game well enough to avoid being a ball-stopper. At the NBA level, his offensive value will come from efficiency, spacing, gravity, and his ability to fit seamlessly into five-out and motion-based systems rather than shot creation volume.
Defense
Defensively, Momčilović presents a mixed but projectable profile. His size and length provide a baseline of positional versatility, allowing him to guard either forward spot in structured defensive schemes. He competes consistently, understands positioning, and communicates well within team concepts. While he is not a high-end athlete, he compensates with anticipation and discipline, particularly in help-side situations and rotational coverage.
On the ball, Momčilović is best suited to guarding forwards rather than dynamic perimeter creators. He can struggle to contain quick first steps in space, particularly against wings with advanced handle packages. However, he demonstrates adequate lateral mobility when defending within the system, relying on angles and positioning rather than raw speed. He is more effective when asked to contain rather than disrupt, forcing ball handlers into help rather than gambling.
Momčilović shows strong awareness. He rotates on time, tags rollers, and understands when to stunt and recover. His length allows him to contest shots without fouling, and he shows good timing when challenging at the rim as a secondary defender. He is not a rim protector, but he offers resistance and verticality when positioned correctly. His defensive rebounding is another positive, as he tracks the ball well and secures possessions without drifting out of position.
The long-term defensive question centers on physical development. Added strength will be essential for Momčilović to hold ground against NBA forwards and survive switches without being targeted. He projects as a neutral-to-slightly positive defender within team concepts. Not necessarily a stopper, but not a liability. His defensive value will be maximized in schemes that emphasize structure, communication, and collective coverage.
Looking Ahead
Momčilović fits cleanly into the archetype of a stretch forward who enhances lineup flexibility through spacing, shooting, and basketball IQ. He can contribute without usage, touches, or offensive hierarchy. Teams value players who can maintain efficiency while fitting alongside stars, and his shooting gravity alone provides immediate utility at the next level.
His projects as a rotational forward who plays 15-25 minutes, spaces the floor, and allows offenses to maintain a five-out alignment. His ability to shoot at volume without sacrificing efficiency gives him a relatively high floor, especially in lineups that prioritize ball movement and drive and kick principles. Coaches will trust him offensively early due to shot reliability and decision-making.
The swing skill for Momčilović’s ceiling is defensive versatility. His value increases significantly if he can become strong enough to guard both forward positions consistently and avoid being hunted in switches. Incremental improvements in lateral quickness, screen navigation, and physicality will determine whether he remains a role-specific shooter or evolves into a dependable two-way forward.
Overall, Momčilović profiles as a rotation-level NBA forward with starter utility in the right situation. His combination of size, shooting, and feel for the game aligns well with modern NBA roster construction. He may never be a primary option, but his ability to space the floor, make smart decisions, and function within structure gives him a long-term professional outlook, particularly on teams that value efficiency, spacing, and lineup adaptability. He really is the prototypical 3-and-D wing teams are looking for, who doesn’t need the ball in his hands all the time to impact winning and team success.
