Otega Oweh Declares for NBA Draft, Keeps Option Open for Return to Kentucky
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky guard Otega Oweh announced Tuesday that he will enter his name into the 2025 NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility, leaving the door open for a return to Lexington for another season under new head coach Mark Pope.
Oweh, a 6-foot-5 junior who transferred to Kentucky from Oklahoma after the 2023-24 season, made his intentions known through a statement on social media. “After much thought and prayer, I’ve decided to enter my name into the 2025 NBA Draft while also preserving my eligibility,” Oweh wrote. “This is an exciting opportunity to get feedback from NBA teams and continue improving my game. At the same time, I want to keep the option open to return to Kentucky and compete for a national championship.”
Oweh quickly became a fan favorite during his lone season with the Sooners, averaging 11.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while showcasing strong athleticism, tenacious defense, and improved perimeter shooting. His move to Kentucky was one of the early high-profile additions made by Pope, who took over the program after John Calipari’s departure to Arkansas.
Oweh’s size, strength, and two-way potential have intrigued NBA scouts, though most consider him a second-round prospect at this stage. Entering the draft process allows him to participate in workouts, the NBA Draft Combine (if invited), and interviews with teams before making a final decision. The NCAA permits players to return to college, provided they withdraw from the draft by the May 29 deadline and do not sign with an agent who would jeopardize their eligibility.
Kentucky fans are hopeful that Oweh will use the draft process as a learning experience and ultimately return for another year. With Pope actively rebuilding the roster through the transfer portal and incoming freshmen, a potential return from Oweh would add proven high-major experience and perimeter versatility to the Wildcats’ 2025-26 squad.
In his statement, Oweh thanked both Oklahoma and Kentucky fans for their support. “To Sooner Nation—thank you for believing in me from the start. And to Big Blue Nation—thank you for welcoming me with open arms. I’m excited to explore this next step in my journey, and I’m grateful to have options.”
Coach Pope expressed his full support for Oweh’s decision. “We’re incredibly proud of Otega for taking this step,” Pope said in a release. “This process is about growth, and we’re going to support him every step of the way. He’s got a bright future, whether that’s at the next level or with us in Lexington next season.”
The next several weeks will be critical as Oweh gauges his draft stock. For now, Kentucky fans will wait with cautious optimism, hoping the high-flying wing finds enough reason to bring his talents back to Rupp Arena for one more year.
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