National writer thinks key Kentucky transfer 'type of weapon' to excel in Mark Pope's system

Otega Oweh seems to be the 'forgotten' member of Kentucky's transfer class, but one national writer sees him as someone who will excel under Mark Pope.
Jan 13, 2024; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Otega Oweh (3) dribbles the ball during the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2024; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Otega Oweh (3) dribbles the ball during the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports / Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
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With a transfer class that includes nine players, there is bound to be someone that becomes overlooked or an afterthought.

For Mark Pope and his Kentucky roster, he made sure that every player he added through the transfer portal was a perfect fit for his sytem -- it's something he was excited to be able to do.

With 11 new players total, none of which have played a second of basketball with each other, the flashy names or skillsets are easy to get caught up with. But, it's sometimes the under-the-radar skills and names that end up being the most impactful.

That's seems to be the case with Otega Oweh. The former Oklahoma guard averaged 11.4 points and 3.8 rebounds per game last year as a sophomore. He shot 49.3 percent from the field and 37.7 percent from three.

While he was one of the first players to announce their pledge to the Wildcats, his popularity nationally is not like the likes of some of his teammates.

But, one national writer thinks Oweh is the 'type of weapon' that will excel in Mark Pope's system.

"Don't overlook Oweh in all of this," 247Sports national writer Isaac Trotter said of Otega Oweh. "He's a physical driver who had a 58% rim rate last year. He's a much different piece than the rest of this Kentucky backcourt. That's exactly the type of weapon Pope needed to vary Kentucky's offensive repertoire."

While Kentucky's roster is made up of a lot of shooters, Oweh's elite driving and finishing ability is something that just isn't 'as sexy' to fans. Hence why he's a name that seems to be forgotten among a lot of the Kentucky fanbase.

But, that's not the case inside the building.

“He’s elite at earning trips to the free-throw line and he brings a special physicality and intensity to the game," Pope said of Oweh. " ... His tenacity on the court is contagious and his humility off the court is going to endear himself to Big Blue Nation.”

Oweh is a 6-foot-4 wing who lives at the rim, using his physicality and toughness to finish through and around contact. 61 percent of his field goal attempts came at the rim last year. 

Kentucky is now among the best teams in the SEC and if it ends up staying that way throughout the season, the play of Oweh will likely

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