Vicky Graff Photo
Otega Oweh hasn’t made up his mind regarding his future, but was “just going through the process” at the NBA Combine in Chicago this week.
“It’s the combine,” Oweh told the Lexington Herald-Leader earlier this week. “This is what you dream about. I remember when I was younger, I was watching all this stuff. And now I’m in it. So it’s just a great situation. And I’m just blessed to be here. The experience has been amazing.”
Oweh has had meetings and workouts with several NBA teams, including the Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets and the Portland Trailblazers. In two scrimmages this week, Oweh scored 24 points, eight rebounds and just two turnovers in 47 minutes. He also had four assists.
“They went really well (and) I got a lot of good feedback,” Oweh said. “It was a lot of just playing. And, you know, I love playing. Those workouts went really, really well. I’m just using this whole process to get as much feedback as I can. And whatever they tell me, that’s how I’ll make my decision.”
The feedback has been positive for Oweh and the Kentucky guard knows more work needs to be done to reach elite status.
“It’s kind of no doubt that I could play at the next level,” he said. “But it’s just the little things that they’re still trying to see. Overall, a lot of guys have just been high on me, on my game. And they’ve given me a lot of jewels that I can implement my game with.”
Oweh plans to “enjoy” the process and take his time before deciding whether or not to remain in the NBA Draft. The deadline is May 28.
“You only get to do this so many times,” he said. “Being able to go to these different states and play and compete with these guys in their own facilities — it’s a great thing.
“I’m trying to do as much as I can before I make that decision, and get as much feedback as I can, and just have as many eyes see me. So I don’t have a timetable, specifically, but I feel like maybe once the Combine is done, I’ll probably know more about which way I’m leaning.”
If he decides to return to Lexington, Oweh added that he’s “got a good situation back at Kentucky if I do choose to go back.
“Either way, I’m just thankful to be here (at the combine),” Oweh said.
3 Responses
Thanks for the first year! Best to you!
Oweh is doing exactly what he should be doing. Getting these Owners to see him and talk to him is the perfect thing to do. This year when he’s playing for Kentucky they will be more tuned in and watching him. They are giving him the advice that I would give him. They are telling him to work on his passing and shooting. Defensively he’s already NBA ready. His offense needs to be polished. A quicker release on his 3 pointer and looking for the open man more. This will upgrade Owehs game to another level. Watch out if he starts averaging 3-4 assist per game you can’t tell me he’s not one of the top 15 players in college basketball. If he improves his 3 and his passing he will easily be a top 5 player in college basketball. Oweh has improved every year in college. That’s what NBA type players do. If someone averages the same ppg or near the same ppg they aren’t improving. His numbers speak for themself. He went from 7 ppg as a freshman to 11.5 ppg as a sophomore then 16.3 ppg as a junior at Kentucky and even if he only improves by a point or 2 a game now and completes the rest of his game he will be on track to be a first round pick and if he’s not then these Owners are drinking the koolaid.
You’re exactly right about his passing & shooting. Last season, he cost UK a lot of possessions because he SELDOM was willing to pass, so he didn’t even look for others. He & Jaxsonhad the lowest efficiency (ANE) of any of the players who averaged more than 10 minutes. They both hogged the ball and as the season moved along, the unwillingness to share the ball impacted the entire team.
They both hogged A:TO ratio tells the story. The bench in a hurry is the ONLY cure.
Hi defense is excellent. No doubt about it! Hard working at both ends of the floor. Share the ball and practice more & more 3’s and he can complete his game to be amazing.