Otega Oweh Announces He Will Remain in NBA Draft, Ending Possibility of Return to Kentucky
In a decisive move, Otega Oweh has officially announced that he will remain in the 2025 NBA Draft, ending all speculation about a possible return to the University of Kentucky. The dynamic guard, who transferred from Oklahoma and quickly made an impact with the Wildcats, confirmed that his focus is now fully on beginning his professional basketball career.
Oweh had previously left the door open for a return to college, participating in pre-draft evaluations while maintaining his NCAA eligibility. However, after receiving positive feedback from NBA scouts and front offices during workouts and the draft combine, he has decided to bet on himself and take the next step toward the NBA.
“After a lot of thought and prayer, I’ve decided to stay in the NBA Draft,” Oweh said in a statement shared on social media. “Thank you to Big Blue Nation, Coach Pope, and the entire Kentucky program for believing in me. I’ll always be grateful.”
Oweh’s decision comes after a strong junior season where he averaged 16.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. His athleticism, defensive tenacity, and scoring ability caught the attention of NBA evaluators, even if he isn’t yet projected as a surefire first-round pick.
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope wished Oweh the best, stating, “We’re proud of Otega and support him completely. He has the tools to succeed at the next level, and we’re excited to see where this journey takes him.”
With Oweh officially out of the picture for the 2025-26 college season, Kentucky now turns its attention to filling the gap left by one of its top scorers. Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Oweh as he prepares for the NBA Draft this summer.
