Otega Oweh finds himself at a pivotal point in his basketball career. After a breakout junior season with the Kentucky Wildcats, Oweh is now considering whether to return for another year in Lexington or declare for the 2025 NBA Draft. The talented guard quickly became one of the most reliable players for the Wildcats, averaging a team-best 16.3 points per game while earning Second Team All-SEC honors.
Transferring to Kentucky from Oklahoma, Oweh made an immediate impact with his aggressive style of play, defensive tenacity, and slashing ability. His energy and athleticism made him a fan favorite and a cornerstone of coach Mark Pope’s first season leading the Wildcats. Despite Kentucky’s early exit in the NCAA Tournament, Oweh’s individual performance throughout the year drew attention from NBA scouts and analysts.
However, while Oweh’s overall game has matured significantly, draft experts currently project him as a fringe second-round pick or potentially undrafted. One of the main critiques holding him back is his perimeter shooting. He shot just 31% from three-point range, which could limit his role at the next level unless he improves in that area. NBA teams are also interested in seeing him expand his playmaking and improve his consistency from the free-throw line.
Given the feedback, many believe Oweh may enter the NBA Draft process to receive evaluations from teams but ultimately decide to return to Kentucky for his senior season. That route would allow him to test the waters, understand what scouts want him to improve, and potentially raise his draft stock with another strong collegiate campaign.
Oweh has not made an official announcement regarding his future plans. In a recent interview, he mentioned that this season at Kentucky was the most fun he’s had playing basketball, a sentiment that gives fans hope he might return. Coach Pope and the Kentucky staff would certainly welcome his leadership and production back as they build toward a deeper postseason run.
For now, all eyes are on Oweh as he weighs his options. Whether he returns to Kentucky or makes the leap to the professional ranks, he’s proven that he belongs in the conversation of elite college basketball talents. A decision is expected in the coming weeks, and Kentucky fans are anxiously awaiting the outcome.
