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Otega Oweh in a 'great situation' regardless of 2025 NBA Draft decision

Barkley-Truaxby:Barkley Truax•05/14/25•

BarkleyTruax

Feb 26, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh (00) gestures after scoring against the Oklahoma Sooners during the second half at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Feb 26, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh (00) gestures after scoring against the Oklahoma Sooners during the second half at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Mark Pope’s roster for the 2025-26 season is almost complete. However, the Kentucky head coach still awaits the highly-anticipated decision of last season’s leading scorer Otega Oweh — whether he’s coming back to Lexington for his senior season, or forgoing his eligibility and staying in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Oweh has until May 28 to withdraw his name from this year’s draft cycle. For now, he’s still testing the NBA waters as he was present at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago on Wednesday. He spoke with ESPN about his mindset heading into the deadline, and the benefits on both sides of his ultimate decision.

“The main thing for me is just finding the best situation,” Oweh said during the ESPN broadcast. “Obviously my goal is to play in the NBA. If I go through this whole process and I’m getting great feedback and I can go all the way, then I’ll do that, 100 percent. But either situation I’m in, it’s a great situation. I just have to thank God for it. I’ve got a good situation back at Kentucky if I do choose to go back. Either way, I’m just thankful to be here.”

If Oweh chooses to keep his name in the NBA Draft, Mark Pope recently spoke on his star guard’s behalf. He pitched Oweh’s “elite” physicality on both ends of the floor and how he doesn’t shy away from contact, while also noting his explosiveness, and ability to navigate guarding opponents on and off the ball through screens. Pope called Oweh a “really special” player.

Last season was Oweh’s first with the Wildcats. He averaged 16.2 points per game on a 49.2 percent clip to go along with 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. Oweh scored in double figures during the first 13 games to start SEC play for the Wildcats and was a major contributor during Kentucky’s run to the Sweet 16 during the NCAA Tournament earlier this year.

Oweh has two more weeks to decide whether he wants to to boost his draft stock by playing one more year with the Wildcats, or move on to the pros. The feedback he receives throughout the week from NBA scouts and personnel will likely go a long way in shaping that ultimate decision.

The 2025 NBA Draft is set for June 25 and 26. The annual event will be held at the Barclays Center, the home of the Nets, in Brooklyn, New York.