Otega Oweh has hours left to decide — and everyone’s still guessing
The clock is ticking.
The NBA Draft withdrawal deadline is tonight at 11:59 PM ET, and Kentucky wing Otega Oweh still hasn’t publicly announced his decision. But here’s the twist: that announcement doesn’t have to come today. As long as Oweh submits the necessary paperwork to the NBA or NCAA before the buzzer, he can still make his intentions known later.
And right now? The college basketball world is in full refresh-mode waiting for the verdict.
What we know so far
Mark Pope isn’t pushing.
In an exclusive interview with The Cats' Pause from the SEC Spring Meetings in Florida, Kentucky’s head coach said he’s giving Oweh space.
"We're having conversations via text right now because I'm trying to give him as much space as I can," Pope said Tuesday.
That’s understandable. Oweh has a lot to weigh—and reportedly, one more opportunity to showcase himself.
According to Darrell Bird, Oweh has one final workout scheduled for tomorrow, meaning he’ll hit the court for an NBA team after the official deadline. So it’s safe to assume the paperwork decision will happen quietly behind the scenes—either already submitted or getting done before midnight.
Meanwhile, the buzz around the draft remains mixed at best.
Matt Norlander said on his podcast this week:
“I previously thought that he was almost a guarantee to come back to Kentucky. I would still pick that he comes back to Kentucky, but apparently what he’s gotten back recently has been good on that end.”
In other words, Oweh’s draft feedback might be stronger than anticipated. But the big boards don’t fully back that up.
What the draft experts say
- Sports Illustrated’s first-round mock? No Oweh.
- The Ringer’s top 50 big board? No mention.
That doesn’t mean teams don’t like him. It just means there’s no consensus that he’s a lock to be drafted—especially not in the first round where guaranteed money awaits.
What this means for Kentucky
If Oweh returns, Mark Pope gets back a strong, physical wing defender who could anchor Kentucky’s perimeter and likely contend for All-SEC honors. He averaged 11.4 points and 3.8 rebounds last season, but it was his versatility and edge that made him stand out.
And with the 2025 roster already looking like one of the deepest in the country, adding Oweh back to the mix gives Pope yet another experienced two-way threat in what might be his most balanced group yet.
But if he goes? There’s no replacing his motor and defensive tenacity easily—especially this late in the portal cycle.
So... what’s the call?
No one really knows—yet.
There are hints, tea leaves, workouts, and whispers. But no press release. No Instagram graphic. No family statement. Just silence and speculation as the deadline ticks closer.
If he returns, Kentucky fans will welcome him back with open arms.
If he goes, he’ll leave behind a noticeable gap in what could’ve been a special rotation.
Either way, tonight’s deadline will quietly mark a major turning point for Kentucky’s offseason.
The question is: Will Otega Oweh be part of it?
Stay tuned to WBN.