Withdrawing or Declaring? Otega Oweh’s NBA Draft Decision Looms Large for Kentucky and the 2025-26 Season
We’re now less than two weeks away from the May 28 withdrawal deadline for the 2025 NBA Draft, and Kentucky’s leading scorer Otega Oweh holds one of the most pivotal decisions of the offseason—one that could reshape the landscape of college basketball next year.
So, where do things stand?
“It feels like the momentum is pushing him back to Kentucky,” said Adam Finkelstein, 247Sports Director of Scouting, during the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. “He’s said as much publicly. He’s been active—playing in Chicago, doing private workouts—and told the media he believes he’s a first-round talent. But he also implied he’s waiting for confirmation he’ll be drafted there before staying in. Personally, I expect him to return, and if he does, he could absolutely play his way into the first round next year.”
247Sports’ Isaac Trotter echoed the sentiment, likening Oweh’s situation to Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr., who pulled out of last year’s draft and then led the Gators to a national title.
“I think he’s coming back,” Trotter said. “Mark Pope’s system has already elevated guys like Lamont Butler, and Oweh had the best offensive year of his career. He’s a perfect candidate for that ‘year two transfer jump’ that worked wonders for Clayton. Oweh is almost in the exact same position—was at the combine, wanted a first-round guarantee, didn’t quite get it, and could return to school to boost his stock.”
Oweh spoke to ESPN during the 5-on-5 portion of the combine on Wednesday, offering some insight into his mindset.
“My goal is the NBA, no question,” he said. “But I want to be in the best situation. If the feedback says I can go all the way, I’m all in. But I’ve also got a great setup at Kentucky if I go back. Either way, I’m blessed.”
Currently, Oweh is projected as a borderline second-round pick. Kentucky head coach Mark Pope believes one attribute already makes him pro-ready.
“Otega’s physicality is elite,” Pope said Tuesday. “Offensively and defensively, his explosiveness, first step, and how he defends through screens with his chest—all of it stands out. He grew a ton last season, especially defensively, consistently winning the point of attack.”
Oweh could also earn significantly more through NIL if he returns and would likely be the centerpiece of a top-five team with national title aspirations. He’d be in the mix for SEC Player of the Year and could raise his draft stock dramatically in Pope’s system.
“He still has so much room to grow,” Pope said. “His potential as a playmaker hasn’t even been scratched. He shot 36–37% from three last season, but quickening his release and increasing volume are key next steps. Defensively, he can neutralize bigs on the glass and switches. I think he could become one of the top steals guys in the country.”
Oweh, a Second Team All-SEC selection, led the Wildcats with 16.2 points per game, adding 4.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.6 steals while starting all 36 contests. The Oklahoma transfer scored in double figures 33 times, had 13 games of 20+ points, and hit game-winners against his former team—once in Norman and again in the SEC Tournament.
In Kentucky’s first-round NCAA Tournament win over Troy, he became the first Wildcat since Walter McCarty in 1996 to post 20+ points, 8+ rebounds, and 5+ assists in a tournament game.
His 584 total points rank behind only Antonio Reeves (667 in 2023-24) and Oscar Tshiebwe (590 in 2021-22) among Kentucky transfers. Initially ranked No. 31 in the transfer portal by 247Sports, Oweh ended the year No. 7 in their final re-rank.
Kentucky saw a similar situation last offseason when BYU transfer and Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year Jaxson Robinson withdrew from the draft just before the deadline. He committed to the Wildcats and became their second-leading scorer before a season-ending wrist injury.
Whether Oweh returns or stays in the draft, his decision will have major ripple effects—not just for Kentucky, but for college basketball as a whole.
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