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Cyclones Seek New Stars After Momcilovic's Exit
10 Jun
Summary
- Iowa State lost Milan Momcilovic to the transfer portal.
- Jamarion Batemon and Ryan Prather Jr. are key transfer candidates.
- Leon Bond III also transfers in to fill a forward role.
The Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team is navigating a significant roster shift after Milan Momcilovic entered the transfer portal and declared for the 2026 NBA Draft. Although Momcilovic eventually withdrew his NBA draft name, his decision to transfer effectively ended his tenure in Ames, necessitating immediate adjustments by head coach T.J. Otzelberger.
The team must now find replacements for Momcilovic's scoring output, which averaged a team-high 16.9 points per game. Rising sophomore Jamarion Batemon, a noted three-point shooter, is a strong contender to fill Momcilovic's starting spot, bringing offensive floor-stretching capabilities and defensive versatility.
Additionally, transfers Ryan Prather Jr. and Leon Bond III join the Cyclones to address offensive production and positional needs. Prather Jr., arriving from Robert Morris, averaged 15.9 points and provided significant three-point volume. Bond III, a transfer from Northern Iowa, offers a well-rounded skill set and resembles the role previously filled by Nate Heise, bolstering the team's depth at small forward.
