Kentucky has had 137 former players reach the NBA. Since 1989, when the league cut the NBA Draft to two rounds, 90 have been selected. From NBA champions like Tayshaun Prince and Antoine Walker to MVP contenders like Dan Issel and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, former Wildcats have weaved themselves into the fabric of history with stupendous and serendipitous moments.
Kentucky junior Otega Oweh will look to join that proud family, announcing that he’ll test the 2025 NBA Draft waters on Instagram (h/t CBS reporter Lee K. Howard). However, at this time, he won’t hire a certified agent. As a result, he’ll retain his college eligibility.
Otega Oweh will go through the NBA Draft process, while keeping his NCAA eligibility. Good decision for him to gain feedback from the NBA ahead of what could be a monster season at UK. pic.twitter.com/0I4eWb5BkV
— Lee K. Howard
(@HowardWKYT) April 15, 2025
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Should he opt to return, he’ll likely remain at Kentucky.
Kentucky’s Otega Oweh Declares For NBA Draft, With Catch
In 2024-25, Oweh averaged 16.2 points and 1.6 steals per game, shooting 49.2 percent from the floor and 35.5 percent from 3. While playing for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2023-24, he averaged 11.4 points and 1.5 steals per game, shooting 49.3 percent from the field and 37.7 percent from outside.
OTEGA OWEH MIXTAPE pic.twitter.com/2ejO1vf0jX
— Casey (@BleedBlueCasey) March 19, 2025
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In that time, he’s helped both programs finish with 20-win seasons. In 2024-25, he was even named an All-SEC second team selection, an honor shared with Texas freshman Tre Johnson and South Carolina sophomore Collin Murray-Boyles. Of note, both Johnson and Murray-Boyles are projected to be lottery picks in the upcoming draft.
Oweh, 22, doesn’t have Johnson’s youth. Nor is he the natural shooter that the 2025 SEC Rookie of the Year is. He isn’t as well-rounded as Murray-Boyles. However, he has a more NBA-ready body than the former and a more projectable game than the latter. Active and athletic with nice size at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, Oweh could be a 3-and-D wing at the next level. Due to his physical tools and anticipation, he can be an effective slasher and cutter as well.
Like every player, he needs to continue refining his game. For example, until Oweh becomes a better ball-handler and shooter, his one-on-one offense will likely be inconsistent. Nevertheless, the role he’s going to play is one of the most important in the league. If he’s efficient in it, he’ll be an instant floor-raiser.
As a result, Oweh has a legitimate chance to get drafted if he keeps his name in the hat. With that being said, there’s not much more he could do next year to raise his draft stock. Drafts are usually unkind to older prospects, who are often selected in the second round.
© Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
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