Why Otega Oweh’s Draft Comments Aren’t a Reason for Panic at Kentucky
Otega Oweh is currently testing the NBA Draft waters, participating in team workouts with the Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets, and Boston Celtics, and is set to attend the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. He’s taking the process seriously, gathering feedback as he works toward his goal of becoming a professional player.
Though he’s diving headfirst into the pre-draft experience, most believe Oweh is using it primarily as a learning opportunity—to find out what NBA teams like about his game and, more importantly, what they want him to improve upon should he return to Kentucky for another year.
Since he didn’t enter the transfer portal before the deadline, his options are clear: stay in the draft or return to Lexington. His recent comments after a workout in Portland suggest he’s leaning into the process fully, which has stirred concern among Kentucky fans.
“I’m all in (on the NBA),” Oweh said. “I have one more year of (college) eligibility, but my goal is to play in the NBA, so I’m not doing this process one foot in, one foot out.”
That sparked some worry among the Big Blue Nation, especially given Oweh was expected to be the cornerstone of next season’s roster. However, what many overlooked was his confidence in his NBA potential—he sees himself as a first-round pick and says that will heavily influence his final decision ahead of the May 28 withdrawal deadline.
“I wouldn’t say it’s completely false, but I believe I’m a first-round guy,” Oweh explained. “So, I’m just gonna go through these workouts, give it my all, and then when it’s all said and done, I’ll see where I’m at and then I’ll make that decision.”
This mirrors the situation Jaxson Robinson faced last year when he explored the draft, weighed his NBA prospects, and ultimately returned to college—choosing Kentucky—after realizing he could further develop his game and stock with another season.
Oweh’s draft outlook is still developing. Currently, Bleacher Report lists him as the No. 59 pick—last in the draft—while ESPN ranks him 72nd overall. For comparison, players selected late in the second round typically earn far less than what Oweh could make through NIL deals at Kentucky. To leave, he’d likely need a guaranteed contract—probably even a top-20 promise—to justify forgoing a potentially lucrative and high-profile season in Lexington.
If he gets that, it’s a win for Kentucky. A player rising from relative obscurity to a top pick under Coach Pope’s guidance becomes a powerful recruiting tool. If he doesn’t, Kentucky benefits just as much from having one of college basketball’s top returning guards and a likely SEC Player of the Year candidate.
So there’s no need to overreact to Oweh’s comments. He’s smart to take the process seriously—both for his own development and to be taken seriously by teams. If he comes back, it will be as a more polished, more confident version of last year’s team leader. And that’s the ideal outcome for everyone.
As Coach Mark Pope recently told CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein:
“Otega is going through this draft process, and we’re cheering for him every step of the way — but I know a lot of his heart is back here at Kentucky. If he does return, he will return as the presumptive SEC Player of the Year. Clearly, he’s got a beautiful future ahead of him.”
The hope remains that at least part of that future includes one more season in blue and white.
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