Otega Oweh Faces Tough Decision on NBA Future

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – Otega Oweh, the leading scorer for the Kentucky Wildcats, is at a critical crossroad in his basketball career. He must decide by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday whether to remain in the NBA Draft or return to Kentucky for another season.

The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 16.2 points per game last season and demonstrated impressive energy on both offense and defense. Recently, he has gained considerable interest from NBA teams, with CBS Sports‘ Matt Norlander noting that Oweh has received “really, really good” feedback.

However, it remains uncertain if this interest will be enough to secure him a spot in the first round of the draft, which is his goal. Kentucky head coach Mark Pope indicated that Oweh’s decision will hinge on his personal aspirations. “This is a decision that’s going to depend on his ticker,” Pope said. “Because that’s what’s going to carry him through the next year.”

If Oweh chooses to return, he would play a pivotal role on a Wildcats team projected to be among the top five in the country next season. Financially, he is in a strong position, thanks to his current draft projections and potential Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities.

This week, Kentucky’s roster became clearer when Pittsburgh transfer Jaland Lowe withdrew from the draft. Lowe averaged nearly 17 points for the Panthers last season and is expected to play a significant role in Pope’s backcourt.

Pope has emphasized the importance of allowing Oweh to make this significant decision with care. “Otega has earned this right to make the decision,” Pope said. “He’s an incredibly special person with an incredibly bright future.”

Historically, these decisions have become commonplace for Kentucky players, but for Oweh, a proven college star faced with a borderline NBA call, the stakes feel higher. “He’s been dreaming about playing in the NBA for a long time,” Pope said. “If he feels he must go, then we support that. But if he feels like he has unfinished business at Kentucky, then he should return to finish his journey here.”

As the deadline approaches, all eyes are on Oweh. He has one final workout Wednesday with an NBA team before making his decision.