Kentucky's Otega Oweh Declares for 2025 NBA Draft, Maintains CBB Eligibility

Kentucky star Otega Oweh could be joining the professional ranks after a phenomenal season with the Wildcats.

Oweh, who just played his third season of college basketball, declared for the 2025 NBA Draft but is maintaining his eligibility, he announced on his Instagram.

“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,” he said in a statement on Instagram. “I’m taking the next step and have declared for the 2025 NBA Draft, while maintaining my NCAA eligibility.”

Oweh, who spent the first two seasons of his career with Oklahoma before transferring to Mark Pope's squad ahead of the 2024-25 season, had a breakout year with the Wildcats. He put up a career-high 16.2 points and 4.7 rebounds, leading the team in scoring. He posted 20-plus points 13 times this season, including a 20-point outing against Troy in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

While Oweh has turned into a fantastic college player, it's hard to gauge where he might land should he keep his name in the NBA Draft. He's a solid scorer but posted average numbers from deep, shooting 35.5 percent from behind the three-point line. That, coupled with the fact that he's a bit undersized to be an NBA shooting guard at 6'4", means he might not be climbing up scouts' draft boards.

Still, it's never a bad idea to test the draft waters while maintaining eligibility. Oweh will have the chance to work out with other pro hopefuls and get some feedback from NBA scouts. If he shows out at the combine, he could end up on a roster next season. If not, Pope will welcome him back to Lexington with open arms as the Wildcats look to build off a solid year.