Otega Oweh had until 11:59 p.m. ET on May 28 to decide whether to withdraw from the 2025 NBA Draft or continue pursuing his professional career. However, after receiving strong feedback from teams, Oweh chose to step away from the draft and return to Kentucky further to elevate his game under head coach Mark Pope.
Pope’s guidance throughout the draft process earned widespread praise, notably from analyst Aaron Murray, who labeled Oweh as one of the biggest winners despite withdrawing from the draft.
Otega Oweh Impresses NBA Experts After Taking Coach Mark Pope’s Advice
Kentucky basketball star Oweh has withdrawn from the 2025 NBA Draft. Instead, he will return for his senior season. Former NBA player and ESPN analyst Cory Alexander advised him to come back. Alexander said staying at Kentucky could boost Oweh’s draft stock and lead to a bigger NIL deal. This advice makes sense given the risks of going in the second round.
KENTUCKY GETS ITS STAR BACK 🤩
Otega Oweh is suiting up for the Wildcats for the 2025-26 season 😼 pic.twitter.com/ST8bk23ba9
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) May 28, 2025
Kentucky head coach Pope has built a strong squad for the upcoming season. Now, with Oweh returning, the team gains its centerpiece. Last year, Oweh led Kentucky in scoring and helped power their run to the Sweet 16. Now that he’s back, many believe he’s a lock for a first-round pick in next year’s NBA Draft.
Analyst Aaron Murray didn’t hold back his praise. He called Oweh one of the biggest winners of the draft process. In a recent YouTube video, he said, “I think most people felt like he was one of the big winners of the process. And even though it didn’t result in him staying in the draft, I think he put his best foot forward. And I think he is a guy that is absolutely on NBA radars.”
And we all know how Pope supported the rising SEC standout throughout the decision process. He wanted Oweh to take his time and follow his heart, so Murray praised the Wildcats’ head coach.
Murray said, “I give Mark Pope credit for giving him his time. I give Otega Oweh credit for, you know, checking out every avenue possible, but he is coming back, and it is officially go time for the Kentucky Wildcats.”
Last season, Oweh put up substantial numbers—16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. His return doesn’t just help Kentucky—it turns them into a serious SEC contender. With powerhouses like Auburn, Alabama, and Tennessee losing key players, Oweh is now a top name in the race for SEC Player of the Year.
Murray credited Pope for his leadership, stating, “But Mark Pope, listen, I give him credit, right? Cause it’s not just what you do when you have success. How do you handle the best moments of your career? But what happens not only when you have adversity, but when things don’t go your way.”
KEEP READING: Can Kentucky Standouts Otega Oweh, Koby Brea Boost Their NBA Draft Stock at the Combine?
By returning, Oweh gets one more year to grow his game and boost his marketability. His second year under Pope is expected to be even better. As Murray pointed out, “I think it’s more about just being in a system that fits him and what he does well.”
With an already loaded roster, adding Oweh to the mix puts the Cats in the argument for having the best roster in the country. Now, it’s just a wait to see them dominate.
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