Kentucky basketball's Otega Oweh declares for NBA draft but maintains college eligibility

LEXINGTON Otega Oweh is leaving open the door for a return.

Expected to be the centerpiece of Kentucky basketball's roster next season, Oweh announced Tuesday he's entering the NBA draft but he will maintain his college eligibility.

His potential return would give coach Mark Pope a go-to option offensively with Oweh heading into his senior season.Oweh announced his decision in a post on his personal Instagram account."To the best fans in the nation, the Big Blue Nation getting to play the game I love each day, knowing I have your support alongside my family and friends, has truly been a dream come true, and I am incredibly blessed.

I'm taking the next step and have declared for the 2025 NBA Draft, while maintaining my NCAA eligibility," Oweh wrote, ending the statement by using his nickname, "Double O," a reference to the initials of his first and last name as well as his jersey number (00).Name the scoring category and Oweh likely led the way in 2024-25 for UK.That includes:Points per game: 16.2;Times scoring in double figures: 33 (in 36 games);Consecutive games with 10-plus points: 26 (each of Kentucky's first 26 contests; longest streak by any SEC player in 2024-25 and best by a Wildcat since Malik Monk posted double figures in 30 consecutive outings in 2016-17); Times leading the team in scoring: 16 (twice as many as his next-closest teammate, Koby Brea, with eight).Oweh's season and career high occurred against his former team, Oklahoma, on Feb.

26, when he poured in 28 points including the final 18, highlighted by the go-ahead bucket with 6.1 seconds remaining to lift Kentucky to an 83-82 road victory.

(The only Wildcat to score more in a game last season was Lamont Butler, who had a perfect night in the Battle of the Bluegrass, going 10 for 10 from the field 6 for 6 on 3s to tally 33 points in a win at Rupp Arena.)View this post on InstagramA post shared by To God Be The Glory (@otegaoweh)Aside from his scoring prowess, Oweh also was one of UK's best defenders, averaging 1.6 steals per game, tying Butler for tops on the team.Oweh was a second-team All-SEC selection by the league's coaches.Reach Kentucky mens basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RyanABlack..oembed-frame {width:100%;height:100%;margin:0;border:0;}This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Otega Oweh: Guard declares for NBA draft but maintains eligibility.

This article has been shared from the original article on yahoo, here is the link to the original article:

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2025/04/15/kentucky-basketball-otega-oweh-nba-draft-mark-pope/82719955007/