Full Breakdown
Milan Momcovic Targets Kentucky Three-Point Record
6/30/2026, 2:39:53 PM
Background: Kentucky’s Shooting Deficit and Pope’s Vision
The Kentucky Wildcats finished the 2025-26 season shooting 34.1 % from three-point range, a level deemed insufficient for Mark Pope’s offense, which relies on elite perimeter shooting. To address the shortfall, Pope recruited Iowa State forward Milan Momcovic, the nation’s top three-point shooter, to raise both accuracy and volume for the 2026-27 campaign.
Key Figures & Groups
- Milan Momcovic – 22-year-old transfer from the Iowa State Cyclones, who led his former team in scoring with 16.9 points per game and shot 48.7 % on 7.5 three-point attempts per contest.
- Mark Pope – Head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats, whose system emphasizes high-percentage three-point shooting and now expects Momcovic to attempt roughly ten threes each game.
- Kentucky Wildcats – The University of Kentucky men’s basketball program seeking to improve its perimeter production.
- Iowa State Cyclones – Momcovic’s former program, where he established his shooting credentials.
Data & Statistics: Momcovic’s Production vs. Kentucky Records
- 2025-26 season (Iowa State): 48.7 % three-point shooting on 7.5 attempts per game; 136 made threes.
- Kentucky single-season record (2008-09): 117 makes by Jodie Meeks.
- Best three-point total in the Pope era: 93 makes by Koby Brea.
- All-time NCAA single-season record: 162 makes.
Momcovic’s 136 threes already exceed Kentucky’s historical best, positioning him to potentially set a new program record if he maintains Pope’s projected volume.
Official Statements & Responses
Momcovic confirmed that Pope wants him to increase his shot volume, targeting about ten attempts per game even if it lowers his percentage slightly. He expressed willingness to prioritize volume over maintaining his 48 % mark. The Wildcats’ staff indicated that Momcovic’s role is central to the team’s strategy to improve three-point efficiency and overall scoring.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The exact Kentucky single-season three-point makes record is not definitively stated in the sources; while Jodie Meeks’ 117 makes in 2008-09 is cited, the article notes uncertainty about the official benchmark. No independent verification of the all-time NCAA record (162 makes) is provided within the excerpts.
Why It Matters: Impact on Kentucky’s Offense
If Momcovic sustains a ten-three-attempts-per-game pace, Kentucky’s team three-point attempts could rise substantially, potentially elevating the Wildcats’ shooting percentage above last season’s 34.1 %. Increased volume from a high-accuracy shooter may also create spacing for interior play and improve the team’s competitiveness in the upcoming season.
What’s Next: Season Outlook
Kentucky will integrate Momcovic into its starting lineup for the 2026-27 season, with coaches monitoring his shot volume and efficiency. Early-season games will reveal whether the projected ten-attempts target is realistic and whether Momcovic can surpass the program’s historical three-point record.
