For weeks, the men’s college basketball transfer portal had calmed down after a frenetic stretch in April and early May in which more than 1,000 Division I players left their previous schools and decided on a new home.

Now, the biggest prize available is back on the market.

Former Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic, the No. 1 player in USA TODAY Sports’ transfer portal rankings, withdrew his name from the 2026 NBA Draft ahead of the deadline Wednesday, May 27 and is headed back to college.

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As a projected second-round pick, Momcilovic’s decision isn’t particularly surprising, especially since he stands to make significantly more money in NIL by continuing to play in college rather than going pro. And there are several teams eagerly awaiting to make him one of the highest-paid players in the sport.

With Momcilovic off the NBA board, one of the most efficient players offensively in the sport last season is once again on the market, a development that has the interest of some of the country’s best and most well-resourced programs. Momcilovic will reportedly be deciding between Kentucky, Louisville and Arizona, with a commitment expected in the next several days.

Where do things stand in what figures to be a whirlwind recruitment for Momcilovic? And what school potentially fits him the best?

Here’s a closer look at the options for Momcilovic:

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Why it makes sense: As a 6-8 wing who shot 48.7% from 3-point range on 7.5 attempts per game last season, Momcilovic is a seamless fit for coach Mark Pope’s up-tempo, 3-heavy offense. It’s been a challenging offseason for the Wildcats, who have whiffed on many of their top recruiting targets, but those misses could serve them well in their quest for Momcilovic. Not only will they have a bigger role in the team’s offense than his other suitors might, but they figure to be able to have the most money to offer, without as many NIL resources tied up in other high-profile transfers. They're the reported frontrunner for a reason.

Why it doesn’t: Of his three possible destinations, Kentucky is projected to be the worst of the group heading into next season. While Momcilovic would improve the team’s outlook, it is currently outside the top 25 in virtually every early ranking for the 2026-27 campaign. Would Momcilovic, who played a huge role for an Iowa State team that was at least a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament in each of his three seasons there, trade that in for a potential middle-of-the-road SEC team his Cyclones thumped in the second round of the tournament last season despite being down their best player?

Why it makes sense: Perhaps no program has had a more productive offseason than the Cardinals, who boast USA TODAY Sports' as the No. 3 transfer class. For all the talent Pat Kelsey has amassed this season, his squad is still lacking a No. 1, go-to scorer, a void Momcilovic could easily fill while taking Louisville from a preseason top-15 team to one that finds its way into the top 10 or even top five. He’s a sensible schematic fit in the Cardinals’ frontcourt, too. Momcilovic could stretch the floor in a way Kansas transfer Flory Bidunga, a more traditional center, can’t while Bidunga’s rim-protecting prowess makes up for some of Momcilovic’s defensive deficiencies.

Why it doesn’t: With so many of their NIL resources tied up in Bidunga, Jackson Shelstad and an enormous transfer haul, the Cardinals likely won’t have as big of an offer as Kentucky figures to present. Despite all of the talent that has been assembled in Louisville, it’s also fair to question how far the team can go under Kelsey, a relatively unproven coach at the power-conference level who’s coming off a disappointing 2025-26 season.

Why it makes sense: The Wildcats have been a machine in recent seasons under coach Tommy Lloyd, including a 36-3 run last season that ended with the program’s first Final Four appearance since 2001. In Tucson, Momcilovic would have the chance to join a squad that’s already added the impressive likes of North Carolina transfer Derek Dixon, Washington transfer JJ Mandaquit and five-star incoming freshman Caleb Holt. If Momcilovic’s goal is to improve his NBA draft stock while playing for a Final Four or even national title contender, Arizona’s probably the best option of the three schools he’s considering.

Why it doesn’t: There aren’t a whole lot of basketball reasons that would work against a Momcilovic commitment, but there are other obstacles Arizona faces. The Wildcats entered the race for his services relatively late and aren’t believed to have the same kind of money to offer him that Kentucky and Louisville do.

Prediction: Kentucky

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Where will Milan Momcilovic go? Kentucky, Louisville, Arizona in mix