Former Kentucky standout Otega Oweh had to wait until Round 2 to realize his NBA dreams, but to say it was worth the wait would be an understatement for the guard who started his college career at Oklahoma.
Because when Oweh’s moment finally arrived on Wednesday night, the former New Jersey high school star was surrounded by everyone he loves most, and the outpouring was something to see. There was some bubbly on ice, and there was the realization that Oweh was heading back to the state of Oklahoma to start his NBA career.
And that’s because Oweh was selected with the 41st overall pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder, who traded down 4 spots with the Miami Heat to acquire that pick and draft Oweh. So, the young man who once played in Norman for his 2 years of college basketball before transferring to Kentucky will now play in Oklahoma City, with a franchise that just won the NBA championship in 2025 and nearly repeated last season.
The Thunder’s social media account posted the tender moment from Wednesday night when Oweh’s name was called and his circle of family and friends erupted in celebration. Oweh didn’t hold back on his social media account either, posting on Thursday: “My God is too Good!’ The post came with a blue heart, with Oweh also realizing that with draft night glory comes rookie season responsibility.
With that in mind, he also posted: “let’s work OKC.”
Oweh is only too aware of that irony of being drafted by Oklahoma City, in the same state where his illustrious collegiate career began in 2022. He talked about that dynamic during his introductory press conference on Friday.
“I’m already super familiar with OKC. Obviously, Norman’s not too far from here, so it’s a full circle moment,” Oweh told reporters. “I know the atmosphere is all basketball, really, because they live and die basketball. I’m kind of used to it already. I’m excited to be in that environment. I got some good practice my first two years (of college), then went to another school where they also live and die basketball and breathe it. It’s definitely something I’m excited about and used to.”
While Kentucky says goodbye to Oweh and wishes him well in the NBA, Mark Pope’s program will be chasing the ultimate dream again in 2027. Here is what the Kalshi market is currently saying about the odds for the top teams in the mix to be holding the national championship trophy next April:
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
