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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.
7 Responses
Wouldn’t surprise me that he may go the pro route.
Who really knows at this point. From a professional stance it would be a bad move for him to leave because like Larry said he would definitely make more at Kentucky even if he isn’t getting the 3.5 million. More like 2.7 million, but if we paid almost that much for JQ with a torn acl I’m sure Oweh deserves more for returning and for being the leading scorer on last years team on a roster were 7 guys were 2 years older than Oweh. Nowadays they have agents in college and I’m sure his agent will tell him to come back if he’s projected late second round or not drafted. That’s more money for both of them and really its not like his family is poor his brother plays in the NFL and might be the one person who tells him to stay in college. I heard his brother told him to do what he loves and he loved playing basketball at Kentucky. He had the most fun in his career. I actually called that Oweh would be the best on the team but I said Carr would be the second best and that didn’t happen. I don’t understand why he NBA is kinda of snubbing Oweh Its in his draft stock and it absolutely has to be because of shooting percentage. He needs to be above 50% on field goals which he was slightly under so thats not the kicker. It has to be 3 point percentage and free throw percentage. Because he’s great on defense and would probably be top 5 in the draft on the defensive end. He needs to come back and get his 3 point percentage around 40%. That 40% makes NBA teams know he can shoot the ball. Look at Reed Sheppard. Look at his rookie season. I think Oweh would have better numbers then that as a rookie and he went lottery, but reed shot almost 50% from 3. That’s what gets there attention. I’d say at this point there is a 70% chance he comes back. If he don’t come back then a NBA team told him they are taking a chance and picking him in the second round. Maybe he doesn’t like going to school. That’s another factor. Reed and Rob both had under Par NBA rookie seasons for were they were drafted. Zach Edey had a better rookie season that both Rob and Reed who would have thought that? I think when if Reed would have came back we would have won a championship or at least made the final 4 last year. If Oweh does stay in the draft our roster isn’t as impressive. In fact if Oweh does stay in im even going to say were a borderline top 10 without him and a legitimate top 5 team with him. So he might be the difference. How many times have we seen this in the past. One example of this that still haunts me is Cals first year. When we had John Wall and Demarcus Cousins. If Jody Meeks would have came back championship guaranteed. I feel the same way about Reed Sheppard and the list goes on and on
Without Oweh our leading scorer would either be Lowe JQ or Kam Williams. Maybe even Aberdeen. The crazy thing is some people think we would be better without Oweh and I don’t see that at all. He’s a lockdown defender and can get to the basket with ease. We need Oweh to compete for a championship or we might be one player away from being great again.
How could anyone with a brain think that we would be better off without Oweh? We call him Otey at our house. He is like family. We wish him the best no matter what but are looking forward to having him one more year in the blue & white if it is meant to be!
How could anyone with a brain think that we would be better off without Oweh? He is family! We wish him the best no matter which path that he chooses but sure are hoping for one more year with him in the Blue & White!
The economics say he should stay even if an NBA team promises him second round. 2.7M or 3.0M would approximate what he would get @ UK AND he’s stuck with a 3 ( is it 4 ? ) year contract. He has a ready made pro body and could very well be a lottery pick with a good to great season. That’s a mega rookie contract. Pick up a $4M insurance policy for a future career ending injury and if that unfortunately happens he has a degree and about a $10M start to the rest of his life. No brainer.
And to top it all second round money isn’t gaurenteed.
And cricket I agree – he’s a polite, well spoken kid and I’d have him to Sunday dinner anytime ! If the Magic draft him that will happen.