Just two weeks ago, amid the frenzy of NBA Draft preparations, Otega Oweh returned to the place that helped launch his basketball career into the national spotlight. This visit to Rupp Arena, however, had nothing to do with basketball.
Instead of wearing the Kentucky uniform fans had become familiar with over the past two seasons, Oweh arrived in a blue graduation gown and cap, complete with a white sash. The former Wildcats standout crossed the stage as a University of Kentucky graduate, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication.
“It was amazing,” Oweh said. “My whole family was there. I really got to enjoy it with my family. Just having everyone there celebrating — they showed up and showed out, so we had fun.
“And then obviously just being in Lexington one last time, it was amazing. It was sad, coming and going, but it was a great two years, and that was kind of like the final goodbye. I got to see everybody. I got to work out there one last time. So I was just really thankful and appreciative that I was able to go back and walk.”
Speaking one-on-one from the NBA Combine, Oweh looked back on his final two college seasons and discussed what he hopes will be the next chapter of his basketball journey.
When Oweh transferred to Kentucky shortly after Mark Pope took over the program, he arrived as an intriguing addition but not necessarily one of the headline names. After two inconsistent seasons at Oklahoma, he lacked the résumé of some of his highly regarded teammates and entered Lexington with plenty to prove.
The New Jersey native quickly changed that narrative.
His first season at Kentucky generated enough NBA attention that he explored the draft process before ultimately deciding to return and become the centerpiece of Pope’s second Wildcats squad.
While Kentucky’s 2025-26 season failed to meet expectations, Oweh continued his upward trajectory. He led the Wildcats in scoring for a second straight year and strengthened his case as an NBA Draft prospect ahead of next month’s event.
Since Kentucky’s season ended, his schedule has been packed.
“It’s a dream, just going through this process,” Oweh said. “Obviously getting invited to the Combine, I’m thankful. And it’s just hooping, you know, 24/7, and then obviously meeting with the teams and doing the NBPA meetings. It’s been really fun, just knowing that this is going to be my reality soon. So I’m enjoying it.”
Although Oweh is not guaranteed to hear his name called during the June 23-24 NBA Draft, he has consistently appeared in second-round projections. His stock also appears to be climbing after strong performances during Combine scrimmages.
At the time of his interview, Oweh had only met directly with the Oklahoma City Thunder, though he later participated in a private pro day workout for NBA scouts in Chicago and was arranging additional meetings.
The feedback from teams has been encouraging. Evaluators have been impressed by his versatility and ability to fit alongside different types of teammates. Oweh has also emphasized his willingness to embrace any role necessary to establish himself at the professional level.
“Everyone loves my confidence in my game,” he said. “They say I don’t try and force the issue. I don’t try and do things that are out of the box, so they just love the confidence in my game. And that leads with efficiency. They just tell me to continue to be a two-way presence, two-way force.
“And if you’re efficient, that’s going to get you on the court quick. So, obviously, defense is the calling card, and that’s what’s going to get me to where I want to go.”
Otega Oweh’s Kentucky Legacy
During Pope’s first season at Kentucky, Oweh led the team in scoring, though players such as Lamont Butler, Koby Brea, and Amari Williams often drew much of the spotlight.
His second season brought additional challenges. A lingering foot injury sidelined him for much of the offseason and continued to affect him once the regular season began. Oweh later admitted the injury impacted his early performances, though he still emerged as one of Kentucky’s most reliable contributors.
He finished his Wildcats career with 1,255 points, the highest total ever recorded by a Kentucky player who spent only two seasons in the program.
Team success, however, fell short of expectations. Kentucky finished 22-14 and was eliminated by Iowa State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament after battling injuries throughout the season.
One of Oweh’s most memorable moments came in the NCAA Tournament opener against Santa Clara, when his near-halfcourt buzzer-beater forced overtime and helped Kentucky secure what became the final victory of his college career.
Even so, Oweh remains unsure how fans will ultimately view his time in Lexington.
“I’ve thought about it, for sure. And I don’t know,” he said of his legacy as a Wildcat. “I feel that’s up to people and the fans to remember me how they please. Obviously, I hope that I did my part in having people remember me for a really long time. Obviously, I wish — I wish — we would have won more. And I wish we would have gone further in the tournament.
“But I enjoyed my last two years. It was amazing. Coming to Kentucky changed my life. So I hope the fans remember me for just going out there and giving it my all every single game.”
Oweh Sends Strong Message About Mark Pope
Oweh also expressed unwavering confidence in Pope despite criticism surrounding Kentucky’s disappointing season and recent recruiting setbacks.
After transferring from Oklahoma, Oweh developed into a legitimate two-way threat under Pope’s guidance, refining key aspects of his game while maintaining the unique style that made him difficult for opponents to defend.
Unlike some players who avoid social media entirely, Oweh has previously admitted he pays attention to online discussions.
“I see it all,” he said during the season.
That awareness means he knows Pope has faced intense scrutiny from portions of the fan base. Still, Oweh believes Kentucky’s coach is positioned for long-term success.
“You saw what he did. He got there in April, put together a team super quick, and we made it all the way to the Sweet 16,” Oweh said of his first season. “I mean, obviously, I know when you come to Kentucky, everything’s under a microscope. So you just have to be prepared for that. And Coach Pope is super prepared for that. The same way that players put in countless hours in the gym, he puts in double that in the office and recruiting and going to house visits.
“So I just know all that is going to pay off. The players that he recruits, they’re going to see that and go to war with him, just the same way that we went to war for him last year and the year before that. So I got nothing but confidence in Coach Pope. He’s genuine, he gives it his all, and I know that it’s all gonna pay off.”
As for how he will remember his Kentucky experience, Oweh has no doubts.
“Life-changing. Literally,” he said. “Like, before I got to Kentucky, and when I got there, and when I left, my life just did a 180. So obviously I’ll never forget those two years. And I’m still watching. I still go back and watch all the games. Trust. Just because it was so fun. But I’ll definitely remember these last two years as monumental and life-changing for me.”