Upon the widely celebrated addition of Milan Momcilovic, many assumed that Kentucky’s roster was essentially complete. That reaction is understandable, given how significant Momcilovic’s commitment was and how it likely finalized the starting lineup.
However, Kentucky still has one open scholarship, and Mark Pope along with his coaching staff seems determined to fill it. Though there have been rumors over the past few weeks about possible targets, a new report is gaining traction as Kentucky once again explores the international scene.
Initially reported by Jack Pilgrim of KSR, with further details from BigBlueDylan, Kentucky is showing strong interest in Serbian standout Nikola Kusturica.
That said, the Wildcats face stiff competition. Gonzaga, Duke, Arizona, and Louisville are also reportedly in the mix, with Gonzaga currently seen as the frontrunner. Still, it’s too early to dismiss Kentucky’s chances, especially given Pope’s recent recruiting surge.
Don’t Count Kentucky Out for Nikola Kusturica
At just 17 years old, Kusturica would likely leave his professional stint in Serbia to pursue a multi-year collegiate career. Standing 6’8″ with a long frame, he can score from virtually anywhere on the floor. This past season overseas, he averaged 20 points and nearly eight rebounds per game—numbers that, regardless of his age, already reflect a well-rounded prospect.
The main concern for Kentucky is the potential logjam at the small forward position, where Kusturica would likely play. Between Kam Williams, Braydon Hawthorne, and Justin McBride—not to mention Momcilovic—there’s already fierce competition for minutes.
Certainly, Kusturica is the kind of talent you make room for, but it’s tough to envision Kentucky pushing aside any of those players for him to take a leading role. If Pope has a clear plan, it hasn’t emerged yet.
Trusting Mark Pope’s Plan
Then again, that’s not the first time I’ve said something similar this offseason. On multiple occasions especially when Kentucky kept missing out on top targets—it was easy to wonder what Pope was orchestrating behind the scenes.
Now, after landing two five-star recruits in a single week (the second being Ryan Hampton for the 2027 class), it’s safe to say Pope has regained considerable trust from the Big Blue Nation.
So when it comes to Kusturica, we can take his highlights and Kentucky’s interest at face value: Pope and his staff are actively pursuing him alongside other elite programs. If he ends up a Wildcat, so be it—the rest will work itself out.
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