Otega Oweh had a standout junior season with Kentucky, leading the Wildcats with a 16.2 points per game average. He had a few memorable game-winners, and for his efforts he was named to the All-SEC second team.
As with every great season in college basketball, that campaign prompted the guard to enter his name into the NBA draft. Obviously that path isn’t conclusive: Oweh retains his ability to remove his name from the draft and is using this process to test the NBA’s evaluation system in regard to his own stock.
But will Oweh actually go to the draft? As of right now, signs aren’t pointing one way or another.
The NBA released a memo yesterday, April 29, detailing each and every early entrant (meaning player with college eligibility remaining) in this summer’s draft. Oweh’s name was still on the list. While he has until May 28 to decide one way or another, Oweh still plans on going through that draft process.
What if he excels? Oweh could ultimately declare for the draft if he thinks he could go in the first round (or high enough for him to feel comfortable).
The flip side is he could realize he isn’t ready. If he thinks he could go late or undrafted, Oweh could decide to return to Lexington for his senior season.
Kentucky’s staff is committed to helping him through this process, regardless of his decision.
“He’s focused on NBA preparation right now,” said Kentucky men’s basketball assistant coach Alvin Brooks III. “We’re supporting him every way we can.”
We may not know what his decision will be until May 28, but until then Oweh has a great deal to process throughout the evaluation process.