BREAKING: Despite Pressure to Withdraw from NBA Draft, Otega Oweh Stuns League with Bold Decision—Top Pick Refuses to Back Down and Sends Clear Message to Scouts and Execs! It is now Clear as Head Coach Mark Pope Now Confirms…
In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves across the basketball world, Oklahoma star guard Otega Oweh has officially announced that he will remain in the 2025 NBA Draft, despite mounting pressure from scouts, advisors, and even some within his own circle urging him to withdraw and return for another college season.
With speculation swirling for weeks, Oweh put all doubt to rest with a confident and unwavering statement, leaving no room for hesitation: he’s ready for the next level—and he’s not backing down.
Oweh’s bold declaration came just hours after a closed-door workout with several NBA executives in Los Angeles, where he reportedly impressed with his explosiveness, defensive instincts, and improved perimeter shooting. “I’ve worked too hard, sacrificed too much, and grown too far to turn back now,” Oweh said in a statement released through his agent. “This is my moment. I’m betting on myself.”
Adding fuel to the momentum was University of Kentucky head coach Mark Pope, who confirmed what insiders had been whispering for weeks: Oweh’s stock is climbing rapidly, and teams are beginning to view him not as a long-term project, but as an immediate impact player. “He’s the kind of competitor you win with,” Pope stated during an interview at the NBA Combine. “His motor, his edge, his willingness to do the dirty work—those things are rare at this stage. He’s absolutely ready.”
The announcement comes amid reports that some front offices expressed concern over Oweh’s relatively limited offensive role at Oklahoma, leading to doubts about whether he should return to school for another year of development. But Oweh’s camp countered with a simple message: his game is much deeper than the box score shows.
At 6’5″ with a nearly 7-foot wingspan and elite lateral quickness, he has already shown flashes of becoming a lockdown defender at the pro level.
What’s more, Oweh has steadily improved in key areas. Over the past season, he doubled his scoring output and expanded his shooting range. Analysts have taken notice. “There’s no question Oweh has first-round tools,” said ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony. “What he showed defensively this year, combined with his physical profile and upside as a slasher, makes him one of the more intriguing wing prospects in this class.”
For Oweh, though, it’s not just about proving people wrong—it’s about proving himself right. His confidence, maturity, and competitive fire have made him a favorite in team interviews, and with the Combine now behind him, he’s set to embark on a private workout tour that could vault him even higher up draft boards.
The message is clear: Otega Oweh isn’t just staying in the draft—he’s coming for everything. And with head coach Mark Pope now publicly validating his readiness, the league is officially on notice.
