One major question still hanging over the program is whether Otega Oweh will return for another season or stay in the NBA Draft
Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats are entering their second year of a new era in Lexington, and the head coach has been busy strengthening his roster through the transfer portal while also adding top young talent like Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno.
Oweh had a breakout campaign last season after transferring from Oklahoma, quickly becoming a vital part of Kentucky’s success under Pope. His decision is seen as crucial, with SB Nation’s Mike Rutherford listing him among the 12 draft decisions that could significantly impact their teams’ fortunes.
Rutherford wrote, After arriving from Oklahoma, Oweh became a breakout star for Mark Pope, leading Kentucky in scoring at 16.1 points per game. The 6’4″ guard flashed dynamic athleticism that hadn’t been fully seen during his time at Oklahoma.
While Pope has added considerable talent through the portal and built what appears to be a top-10 team with or without Oweh, Rutherford argues that Kentucky’s national title chances would rise dramatically if the explosive guard and strong perimeter defender returns.
Even though some early rankings place Kentucky just outside the top 10 even with Oweh in the mix the team has enormous upside. However, potential doesn’t always guarantee success.
Oweh was a driving force for the Wildcats last season, especially after Jaxson Robinson was sidelined by a season-ending injury. His return would give Kentucky a seasoned leader already familiar with Pope’s system an invaluable asset for a team full off fresh faces.
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