Otega Oweh is starting to look exactly like what he was billed as: The Preseason SEC Player of the Year for Kentucky Basketball.
Over his last six games, Oweh has scored 20 or more points four times, becoming
Kentucky’s most reliable offensive weapon. During that stretch, he posted 20 points in a win over St. John’s, 22 in a loss at Alabama, 20 in a loss to Missouri, and 22 more in a win against Mississippi State. He also added 10 points in wins over Indiana and Bellarmine while nearly going for a triple-double vs. the Knights with 10 assists and eight rebounds.
Oweh has scored in double figures in every game this season, but early on, the production didn’t look nearly as impactful. He struggled defensively and lacked his usual burst, largely because he missed 10 weeks of practice and workouts due to a turf toe injury before the season.
Everything changed after the UNC game.
Even though Kentucky lost to North Carolina, that night felt like Oweh’s breakthrough. He finished with 16 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks, showing the all-around impact Kentucky expected. Since that game, Oweh has looked like a completely different player: stronger, quicker, and far more confident.
Counting the UNC game, Kentucky is 5–4, with quality wins over Indiana and St. John’s. While the team record hasn’t always matched Oweh’s production, that has more to do with inconsistent help around him. Night after night, Oweh has done his part.
He is scoring at all three levels, attacking mismatches, and becoming more aggressive defensively. As he continues to round into form, Oweh is no longer just a good player on Kentucky’s roster. He’s beginning to look like one of the best players in the SEC.
