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Otega Oweh figured to be at Kentucky two years when he transferred from Oklahoma to play for coach Mark Pope this season.
Most college basketball analysts didn’t expect Oweh to be a starter — much less the team’s leading scorer like he has been going into tonight’s game against Jackson State.
Oweh is averaging 15 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.5 assists and 1.0 blocks per game. He’s shooting 58.3 percent from the field and a very surprising 54.5 percent from 3-point range along with 80 percent at the foul line.
The 6-4 Oweh has been a reliable defender and energy provider in his 23 minutes per game. He’s been consistent as he has scored in double figures in every game and was superb against Duke with 15 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. He had a key steal and offensive rebound in the final minute to help secure the victory.
“Otega has been unbelievable. I don’t know if he’s the headline guy of any game, but he is the best player in every game almost, give or take. He gets us off to unbelievable starts. Man, he has a knack to start the game, it’s been brilliant actually,” Kentucky coach Mark Pope said Thursday.
“He has an impact. His conditioning has gotten better and better. He seems like he’s not getting fatigued on the floor. He’s understanding us better. He’s making a defensive impact.”
He’s been so good that not only are fans and media members noticing him more, but he’s at least put himself on the radar of NBA scouts.
“Otega has been incredible. I’m so proud of him,” Pope said. “He might not have been the most highly-heralded guy coming in this portal class. But he’s been beautiful with his teammates. He’s been really mature about taking advantage of every opportunity he’s given and earning them.”
That’s hard not to like or not to notice but it has happened because of the work Oweh has done.
“He’s grown immensely since the summer. He’s becoming an every single day guy, which is a huge challenge,” Pope said. “Which might not have come instinctively to him but he’s really focusing on being an every single day guy and he’s been incredible actually. He’s a real gift to have as a player.”
6 Responses
I watched him at Oklahoma dunk all over Kansas and Baylor. He’s an incredible athlete who really has no weakness except maybe the mechanics of his shot. I don’t like when coaches change a players shot it always ends up hurting them more than helping them. If they have shot that way there whole life that’s all they know. I never agreed with changing a guys mechanics. Some coaches try others dont. Pope doesn’t and that’s why his guys shoot a high percentage from 3. Oweh will be on draft boards this year, but we will see what his numbers do in SEC play. I think he will thrive in the SEC because he has great defense. But he also has great offense. Oweh and Butler are the best defensive back court in college basketball and people are starting to notice. I do have to say this sometimes Butler gets out of control on offense. I actually think Kriisa is a better point guard. They should play Kriisa and Butler together. Butler is more of a combo guard than a point guard.
Oweh is just one of those guys where you are just waiting to see what he does. He seems to do everything so effortlessly. Love watching this guy.
I LOVE MY TEAM!!!!
We all should
This might be first UK BB team where I can’t find a favorite player because they are all exceptional people. They are very skilled, amenable to coaching and really seem to like each other and the coaches and very proud to wear the uni. If I was forced to name one it just might be Oweh.
Oweh is the biggest surprise that nobody talked about in May. He has been the most consistent player on both ends of the floor. He really wasn’t a standout at Oklahoma either, but he has found his groove as a Wildcat! Pope is pushing all of the right buttons too!
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