Otega Oweh Is Just Getting Started — And Mark Pope Knows It
As the NBA Draft decision deadline looms, all eyes in Lexington — and beyond — are waiting for one name: Otega Oweh.
Will he stay in the draft or come back to Kentucky for one more year under new head coach Mark Pope? No one knows yet — but one thing is certain: Pope is a believer, and he’s not shy about saying it.
“Otega’s physicality is elite,” Pope told local media this week. “On both ends of the court. Offensively and defensively — it just shows up everywhere.”
Elite. Special. Explosive. That’s the tone Pope used repeatedly when describing Oweh — Kentucky’s leading scorer last season — and the pieces of his game that could take him to All-American status… if he comes back.
Why Pope Is All In on Oweh
To understand Pope’s confidence, you just have to watch Oweh play. At 6-foot-5, the dude is built like a linebacker and moves like a gazelle. His first step is a blur, his chest-to-chest defense is gritty, and his ability to finish through contact makes him a nightmare for defenders.
“He hasn’t even begun to tap into that,” Pope said. “His ceiling as a playmaker — I think he can become an elite level guy.”
Oweh’s defensive instincts were already strong last year — averaging 1.6 steals per game — and his fastbreak game? Dangerous. But Pope sees even more in the tank.
The Shot That Changes Everything
Here’s where things get spicy: What if Oweh adds a faster, deadlier 3-point shot?
Last season, he shot 35.5% from beyond the arc — not bad — but only 76 of his 415 shots came from deep. Pope thinks unlocking more attempts and a quicker release could completely change the game.
“Getting it off quicker and getting more attempts is a big deal for him,” Pope said.
And he’s right. Oweh isn’t just a slasher anymore — he’s evolving into a complete scorer. Add in a pull-up jumper in transition? Suddenly, he’s one of the toughest covers in the country.
Imagine This Scenario…
Let’s play this out:
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Oweh returns to Kentucky.
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He comes back with a quicker trigger from 3.
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He adds a transition pull-up.
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He builds on his already elite defense and playmaking.
You’re looking at a player who could:
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Lead Kentucky in scoring again
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Become a First-Team All-SEC lock
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Push for All-American honors
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Make a legit case for NBA lottery status in 2026
Sounds crazy? Not to Pope.
“He’s an unbelievable player, and he had a great season last year. He’s pretty fun to talk about.”\
The Decision: NBA or One More Run?
If Oweh stays in the draft, you can’t blame him. He’s got NBA-ready tools and real momentum.
But if he comes back?
He becomes the face of the new Kentucky era. The two-way leader of a retooled Wildcats squad hungry for redemption. And in Pope’s system — with freedom, spacing, and structure — Oweh could put together one of the most complete seasons we’ve seen from a Kentucky guard in years.
One Thing Is Clear:
Whether it’s Lexington or the League, Otega Oweh’s best basketball is still ahead of him.
So now, we wait. And while we do, let the anticipation build.
Because if Oweh returns, Rupp Arena won’t just be rocking — it’ll be watching the rise of a star who’s finally ready to take over.
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