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While almost every Kentucky fan assumes that Otega Oweh will go through the NBA Draft process and then return to UK, Kentucky assistant coach Alvin Brooks III posted this responding to a fan on Instagram about the chances of Oweh returning to UK:
“He’s focused on NBA preparation right now. We’re supporting him every way we can,” Brooks posted.
Oweh earned All-SEC Second Team honors last season when he averaged a team-high 16.2 points per game. He shot 49.2 percent overall from the field and started all 36 games. He also added 4.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.5 blocks per game. His major weakness was shooting only 35.5 percent from 3-point range.
Counting his previous two seasons at Oklahoma, he has now played in 96 collegiate games with 73 starts and averaged 11.3 points per game.
Several mock drafts recently updated do not have Oweh listed as even a potential second-round draft choice. However, he could play himself into that role with a strong performance in front of NBA personnel during the draft process. He could find a team that likes his defensive versatility, physical toughness and potential as a two-way player.
Oweh was either UK’s best defender or one of the top defenders last season and also one of UK’s most consistent scorers. He was also not afraid to take big shots when needed.
Speculation that Kentucky might have a $20 million payroll on next season’s team includes rumors that Oweh could make as much as $3.5 million next season. That would be more than a second-round NBA draft pick would make. However, there’s no official way to confirm any of those dollar amounts and perhaps Oweh’s money to return is not as high as it is rumored to be.
Kentucky is now recruiting Miami guard Divine Ugochukwu, a freshman transfer who averaged 5.3 points, 2.3 assists, 1.9 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 20 minutes per game while starting 16 games last season. The 6-3 Texas native. He had 10 rebounds and three steals against Duke. He also had 10 points, six rebounds and two steals against Louisville.
Ugochukwu would certainly provide backcourt depth after the de-commitment of Acaden Lewis and transfer of Travis Perry. He would also be an even more valuable addition if Oweh did the unexpected and did not return to Kentucky.
