September 18, 2025
Kentucky wildcats news
Otega Oweh Shares Story About Mark Pope That Shaped His Kentucky Commitment
Kentucky guard Otega Oweh had the option to leave for the NBA Draft or transfer elsewhere, but he chose to return to Lexington — and a big reason was head coach Mark Pope.
Oweh, Kentucky’s leading scorer last season at 16.2 points per game, opened up on The Field of 68: After Dark about the moment Pope convinced him that Kentucky was the right place.
“Before I committed, he was recruiting me at BYU,” Oweh said. “The night he got the Kentucky job, the next morning he called me. That same day, he flew in, even though he was exhausted. He came around 10 p.m., and I could tell he wanted to sleep in the chair — but he still made time to meet with me and my family. That showed me how serious he was.”
For Oweh, loyalty and conviction were key. Pope’s early efforts proved he saw the guard as a perfect fit, no matter the program.
The Wildcats have retooled around Oweh this season. Denzel Aberdeen, a transfer from Florida, is expected to add scoring depth, while five-star recruit Jasper Johnson could challenge for a starting role, giving Kentucky the flexibility of a three-guard lineup. On the inside, highly touted recruit Malachi Moreno brings size, rim protection, and post scoring — a necessity in the SEC.
Kentucky aims to play faster and smarter under Pope, mixing toughness with tempo. With rivals such as Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, and Auburn pushing for the top of the conference, Oweh’s return could be the difference in whether the Wildcats emerge as a championship contender.
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