Otega Oweh (Vicky Graff Photo)
After going through the NBA Draft process, including the combine, Oweh opted to return and complete his collegiate career. He returns as the team’s leading scorer (16.2 points per game) and wants to help lead Kentucky to the proverbial pinnacle.
“I still could have gone but I had one more year of eligibility and (wanted to) try to do the things that I didn’t get to complete last year, like win a national championship,” Oweh said. “I feel like we have so much more to complete here.”
In addition to experience playing at an elite level, Oweh added more to his game while working out for several professional teams this spring.
“Learning all of the stuff I learned there, then being able to come back, I feel like I can use those things to my advantage,” Oweh said. “I feel like if I continue to work on the things that I know I’ve got to work on, then on top of that, the conditioning and the stamina.”
Oweh will be part of a nucleus that returns several players from last year’s squad that finished 24-12 and reached the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. Oweh, Brandon Garrison, Collin Chandler and Trent Noah are back from last season.
“It’s definitely a good feeling,” Oweh said. “You’ve got a couple of guys you have a close-knit bond with but they also understand what it takes and what you have to do to be successful with.”
Oweh is one of two seniors and is prepared to take on more responsibilities, on and off the court.
“It’s a little different,” Oweh said. “I’m just trying to grow into the role I’m going to have this year. I’m just taking it slow and building those relationships. Just trying to step up and take that leadership role.”
A leader by example in the past, Oweh will be counted on to provide more vocal support.
“I used to want to lead by example, but not everybody can always do what you do,” he said. “Just trying to figure out your comfort zone (as a leader) and making things work.”
As for the makeup of this year’s squad, Oweh thinks 14-15 guys have the potential to garner playing time.
“You love that, really,” he said. “We have multiple, multiple guys at each position. I feel like those teams are the ones who do best in March because you can switch up the lineups. We have a lot of talent.”
The talent, Oweh says, has meshed with the team’s chemistry.
“We started clicking really quickly,” Oweh said. “We haven’t started workouts yet, but we’ve seen everybody in the gym every single day, multiple times a day. I feel like Coach (Mark) Pope does a good job of recruiting good guys.”
Oweh has no regrets leaving the draft and added he’s excited about coming back and likes the team’s potential.
“We have a lot of guys who could get big accolades this summer,” Oweh said. “If we win the natty, everyone’s going to get what they want. That was the biggest thing for me. It felt like unfinished business.”
4 Responses
Good luck this year, Oweh. I feel it, I feel it! I love you guys. Number 9 belongs to UK! GO CATS!
Every year all the players say is #9 and at this point I’m starting to think its a omen. You never hear duke say were chasing #7 or Uconn say we have to get #6. No they just say hey we have a great team and we are going to have a great season. Not stuck on winning the same championship for over 13 years now. Maybe its a omen and has kept us from winning #9. Maybe that’s a ton of pressure to put on the teams shoulders because #9 hasn’t worked yet. Something interesting I heard yesterday was what Perry said about Chris Beard "The honesty was most important for me. Being honest about what I needed to work on, being honest about the vision here, but the relationship was huge for me.” sounds like a swing at popes honesty about his playing time and what he needed to really work on was determining factors in him transferring. So evidently Pope wasn’t saying hey if you work on this part of your game you will play more.
On paper, this team is definitely a Final 4 contender with a longer shot at winning the title. There are plenty of intangibles…the health of Quaintance, the year 2 improvement for Oweh and Garrison, what Jelavic and the transfer portal additions actually bring to Lexington, and if/how hard the injury bug bites us again. We should be better than Pope’s first UK team with improved defense, rebounding, and toughness. I think we have a real chance at winning the SEC season title or tourney title if not both. Pope is still adjusting to being Kentucky’s coach and he and his staff will be better in year 2. Kentucky basketball is in good hands. Go CATS!!!
Ironic.. I want them to win a championship too