After announcing his decision to enter the NBA Draft, Kentucky guard Otega Oweh took to Instagram to express his gratitude toward the Wildcats community.
In college athletics, farewells are often part of the journey, and Oweh appeared to be saying his on Tuesday—at least for now.
The junior guard recently declared for the NBA Draft but made it clear he’s keeping his college eligibility intact. This is a common move for underclassmen who want to test the waters, attend the NBA Draft Combine in May, and then decide by mid-June whether to remain in the draft or return to school.
Even though he left the door open for a return to Lexington, Oweh’s Instagram message sounded like a heartfelt goodbye. He wrote:
“To the best fans in the nation – Big Blue Nation, getting to play the game I love each day, knowing I have your support, alongside my family and friends, has truly been a dream come true. And I am incredibly blessed. I’m taking the next step and declaring for the NBA Draft, while maintaining my NCAA eligibility.”
Messages like this typically suggest a player is leaning toward moving on, and it’s fair to wonder if Oweh’s focus is now fully on the NBA.
Still, his draft outlook is far from certain. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony currently ranks Oweh as the 86th-best prospect, well outside the range of the 60 players who will be selected in the two-round draft.
Second-round picks don’t receive fully guaranteed contracts, so if Oweh gets feedback that he’s projected to go late or not at all, returning to Kentucky could be the smarter move—especially with NIL opportunities on the table.
Naturally, Kentucky fans would welcome him back, hoping he can help push the team toward a national title. But there’s also a chance Oweh has already played his last game in a Wildcats uniform, which might explain the emotional note he left for Big Blue Nation.
