Kentucky athletics is in the prime of the offseason, with the Bat Cats wrapping their season up and the countdown to college football underway. Luckily for members of the Big Blue Nation, three former Wildcats will be playing in the 2026 NBA Finals, beginning tonight on ABC.

Karl-Anthony Towns

How can we not start with the most loved big man in the league, Karl-Anthony Towns. From his funny character on the court to his big moments in the blue and white, Towns has made a name for himself in this playoff run as one of the most consistent bigs in the league.

He basically records a double-double every single game, and has set multiple records for the New York Knicks this year, notably becoming the first Knicks center to record a triple-double in the playoffs and moving up to the third all-time for the most 20-10 games in Knicks postseason history.

However, while he’s battled and bruised his way through the eastern conference, “Big Purr” will be tasked with taking on superstar Victor Wembanyama, who’s quickly took the league by storm. It’ll be interesting to see how KAT, the former cat, performs against the 7-foot-4 big.

De’Aaron Fox

Switching teams, we have to talk about the speedy De’Aaron Fox. While he’s dealt with a right ankle injury and fought through adversity this postseason, he’s still produced a handful of impactful games for the San Antonio Spurs.

Fox is good for six or more assists a night with a couple of steals, and if his shot is falling, he becomes extremely dangerous on the court. While he struggled against the Oklahoma City Thunder from the field, he’s still managed to tally double-digit performances in most of the playoffs games so far.

His shiftiness and agility opens up the Spurs offense in a multitude of ways, and when he’s on the court, any game turns into must-see television. Fox will earn the starting spot tonight at point guard, making his first NBA Finals appearance.

Keldon Johnson

Last, but certainly not least, is one of my personal favorite Wildcats ever with forward Keldon Johnson. Serving a pivotal role off of the bench, Johnson makes the right plays at the right time.

He silently will get a big rebound or make a huge play on the defensive side of the ball, but more occasionally, he’s hitting a shoot from deep, just like he used to do at Rupp Arena.

Making two huge 3-pointers in the fourth quarter in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, Johnson will look to spark some momentum for the Spurs on the biggest stage of them all.

Get Your Popcorn

Well Wildcats fans, get your popcorn ready and find a comfy seat. Towns will face Fox and Johnson tonight in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, airing live on ABC at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Can the Knicks break the drought that has casted a shadow on New York for some time, or will the Spurs add another championship to their collection and etch the beginning of a new dynasty?

The wait is over BBN!

Milan Momcilovic has officially announced that he will be playing his senior year of college basketball at Kentucky, suiting up in the blue and white for Mark Pope and the Wildcats!

The 6-foot-8 wing averaged 16.9 points per game in the 2025-26 season, leading the nation in 3-pointers made (136) and percentage from deep (48.7%).

Momcilovic is mostly ranked as No. 2 in most portal rankings, but ESPN has the former Cyclone as the No. 1 overall player. With that being said, this technically serves as Pope’s first No. 1 transfer during his tenure at Kentucky.

Pulling his name out of the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday, May 27, Kentucky was seemingly the favorite to land the wing during the entire sweepstakes due to positional need, scheme fit and money available to spend. He could even play another year with the Kentucky Wildcats if the “5-in-5” rule is passed and he forgoes the draft again.

Putting Pat Kelsey in a locker and outbidding him on a recruit is always great for morale, but this fills the much-needed star spot for next year’s roster. Pope and his staff have shaped the team with plenty of skilled players, but Momcilovic adds that extra layer of shooting and will serve as the go-to guy when a game may be on the line.

This will be the final player added to the 2026-27 team, with an insert at the starting small forward position in Momcilovic’s future. Pope and the Big Blue Nation have their guy, and soon enough, we’ll see the Pewaukee, Wisconsin native on Rupp Arena’s court.

The Milan Momcilovic sweepstakes is underway, with multiple teams involved in the No. 2 overall transfer player’s recruitment. It is believed that Kentucky and Louisville are the top candidates after his decision to pull out from the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday, May 27.

Along with the in-state rivals, Arizona and St. John’s are both very well still in the mix, but the Red Storm are slowly falling out of contention after landing Baylor’s Tounde Yessoufou.

On May 28, national reporter Matt Norlander cleared the air on CBS Sports’ Eye On College Basketball podcast, stating that he believes Kentucky will land Momcilovic by the end of the weekend or Monday.

“My prediction right now is that Milan Momcilovic will go to Kentucky,” Norlander said. “My understanding is that decision is going to come in the next one, two, three days, four days max.”

He would go on to talk about the other top programs involved, stating why he thinks they will be working in an uphill battle in this bidding war.

“My forecast is that it’s Kentucky, but you know, we’ll see if Louisville can get in there,” he continued. “Arizona I don’t think has the money to contend, like I think Kentucky and Louisville just have more money to play with.”

For the worried members of the Big Blue Nation, this is certainly good news to be put out by one of the most trusted college basketball reporters at the national level.

Going by this report and Adam Zagoria’s from NYT Sports, it shouldn’t be long until a commitment decision for Momcilovic is announced publicly.