Otega Oweh Lands in Second Round of NBA Mock Draft, Wants First-Round Promise to Stay In

As the May 28th deadline approaches for NBA Draft hopefuls to either remain in the draft pool or return to college, Kentucky fans are closely watching Otega Oweh’s decision.

Oweh, who had a standout season for the Kentucky Wildcats, is currently exploring his NBA prospects. According to a new mock draft by Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman, Oweh is projected to be the 59th overall pick by the Houston Rockets—currently the final selection in the 2025 NBA Draft. While being drafted is a notable achievement, this projection falls short of what Oweh reportedly wants to hear in order to remain in the draft.

Per a report from KSR, sources suggest that Oweh will only stay in the draft if he secures a commitment to be selected in the first round. As of now, Bleacher Report is the only major outlet projecting Oweh to be drafted at all, which could be a positive sign for Kentucky fans hopeful for his return.

Oweh’s impact last season was significant—he led the team in both scoring and minutes played and delivered clutch performances, including two dramatic game-winners against Oklahoma. One of those shots came in the closing seconds of the SEC Tournament’s second round.

Should Oweh opt to return to Lexington, it would dramatically boost Kentucky’s championship hopes for the 2025-26 season. Head coach Mark Pope has already made major strides in the transfer portal, and adding Oweh back to the mix could elevate the Wildcats to national title favorites.