Kentucky guard Otega Oweh declares for 2025 NBA Draft, maintains college eligibility

Kentucky guard Otega Oweh is declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft, he announced via Instagram on Tuesday. However, Oweh will keep the door open for a possible return to Lexington. He will maintain college eligibility while going through the process.

“To the best fans in the nation, the Big Blue Nation,” Oweh said in a statement. “Getting to play the game I love each day, knowing I have your support alongside my family and friends, has truly been a dream come true, and I am incredibly blessed. I’m taking the next step and have declared for the 2025 NBA Draft, while maintaining my NCAA eligibility. God Bless, Double O.”

Oweh just wrapped up his third season of college basketball but his first with Kentucky. He joined for the inaugural season under head coach Mark Pope. While the entire roster was completely new following the departure of John Calipari, Oweh instantly became a fan favorite inside Big Blue Nation.

In 36 games played, Oweh averaged 16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. Just three games saw Oweh finish below double figures for a couple of incredible streaks. At one point, he had scored at least 10 points in 26 consecutive games.

The height of Oweh’s season may have come in Norman, facing his former team. Kentucky traveled to face off against the Oklahoma Sooners in the first-ever meeting as SEC opponents. Oweh scored a game-high 28 points on 11 of 18 shooting, including the final 18 points for the Wildcats. UK won by one, 83-82, to avoid back-to-back losses.

On3’s James Fletcher recently released his lastest 2025 NBA mock draft. Oweh is not listed among the 59 players who wound up getting selected. There might be some work for the three-year player to do throughout the process if he wants to sneak into the second round.

If not, you have to imagine Kentucky will welcome Oweh back with open arms. A huge part of this past season, Pope could have one of the SEC’s top players on his roster in ’25-26. But for now, focus appears to be on finding a way to get his NBA career started.

Oweh played high school football at Blairstown (NJ) Blair Academy, where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 75 overall recruit in the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.