Vicky Graff Photo
Otega Oweh scored 13 of UK’s first 19 points combined in the first two exhibition games and coach Mark Pope said the Oklahoma State transfer has merely “taken opportunities available” to him because of the way UK plays and spreads the court.
“He’s got a calmness about him that’s really great and his physicality of the game is really special and he can hurt you in a lot of different ways,” Pope said. “He’s just got consistency.
“What’s really been brilliant is watching him grow. His game is growing every single day. He’s doing things more consistently than he’s ever done before in his life and that’s really exciting. He’s making a contribution in every possible way.”
I asked Pope if Oweh had been even better than expected since arriving in Lexington.
“It is who he is and why we recruited him. He is a big-time player. I saw him up close last year in a game and scouting (when BYU played Oklahoma State). He’s everything he was advertised to be,” the UK coach said. “He’s incredibly physical. He’s an elite defensive player. He’s unbelievable getting to the rim, has a terrific motor and can do damage on the glass.”
Pope said it has been fun to see Otega drive to the basket, especially early in games, and not have defenses sagging inside to stop him.
“He is racing to the rim and is being smart enough about where to attack at the rim with half a body to finish over and he’s very good at that,” Pope said.
One Response
He is so smooth with the ball I’m his hands.
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