Oweh has been invited to 2025 draft combine
- Thread starter chasingwildcat
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Will Flagg need a chaperone since he’s only 17?
Only 75 players get invited, so some NBA higher ups apparently DO consider him a legit candidate to be drafted … despite what some posters here have been adamantly insisting. That’s a bit worrisome.
Sure, he’s a legit candidate to be drafted in the second round. I don’t think many (if any) on here have disputed that.
But he could make more $ at UK next year, and play his way into the first round with a deep tourney run and/or improving his jumpshot. He’s physically strong and has elite athleticism, but at 6’4” is too small to play the 3 in the NBA, and doesn’t shoot it well enough to play the 2. I suppose you could worry if you’re just the worrying type, but from a purely business perspective, he’d be crazy to leave, even if he has a guarantee from a team in the second round.
He is doing exactly what he and people around the program have said for a month. People don’t need to panic
He’s gone
Jaxson Robinson was invited last year.
But I think we really should panic, guys. It's more fun that way.
But I think we really should panic, guys. It's more fun that way.
Not without a guaranteed contract.
This isn't Calipari's Kentucky anymore. There's reportedly $3 to $3.5 million dollars waiting for Oweh if he returns to UK.
Only if he absolutely hates being in college and all the reporting is that he is happy. Nothing will surprise me, though.
Exactly. The highest I can see Oweh getting drafted is the 40s, and he would be turning down a much better deal from Kentucky to stay in that scenario
I think this is now 50/50. I think a star at Uk can prolly earn as much NIL as first year NBA pick at end of 2nd round. If he's not guaranteed to go early in 2nd round or sooner, he may be back.
I think it's closer to 80/20 he comes back.
No one in the media, program, or NBA has indicated that he wants to jump right now. That and the fact that there's two lifetimes worth of money waiting for him in Lexington convinces me that this is pretty much a given that he'll be back.
I know people need to prepare their safe little emotional parachutes in the outside chance he goes, but it's highly improbable.
I could've swore Isaiah Evans didn't declare and he was for sure back at Duke. The list I read has him as an invite as well, so I guess I was wrong. I'm surprised Brea is the only other UK player invited, Robinson was playing the best basketball of his career before the injury, nbadraft net had Amari going early 2nd round.
He’s never gonna play himself into a 1st round pick. Doesn’t matter if it’s this year or next year. Its all about how high can he go in the 2nd round.
Would still expect him to be back, but it’s no forgone conclusion.
He's going to be a Cat again. Relax. I haven't seen him on a single mock draft going in the first round
Which one do you think comes from the more credible source ...mock drafts or this list?
Mock drafts merely represent some sportswriters, bloggers and similar goofballs making guesses as to who they think the NBA likes most.
Whereas this list is coming directly from the NBA ITSELF. It represents the top 75 draft prospects ...worldwide ...that NBA teams have told the league they’re interested in. No guessing or speculation, it's the League directly telling us who they like most.
And, btw, I also believe Oweh will be back. Most probably. But I sure wouldn't presume it just because of what some "mock draft" said. Obviously there are some NBA teams with serious interest in him ...otherwise he wouldn't have made the invitation list.
Only 30 spots in the first round. Meaning the bloggers can be right that he’s not a first rounder, and the NBA could still have him on their radar as top 75 (in a 60 person draft)
Not to mention that, inevitably, there will be people not on this list who get drafted as well.
Oweh struggled from 3 in December/January(7 for 28). In Feb/Mar he went 12-29 which is 41%... 3 for 7 of that was SECT/NCAAT.
Regardless.
I. Dont. Like. This.
He's going to impress physically at the combine. He's 6ft 5 with around a 6ft 10 wingspan. He is a terrific defender. Very strong and physical. Offensively, he can finish through contact and has a high free throw rate. Good passer and doesn't turn the ball over a lot. People fixate on his shooting stroke, but he can shoot it well enough.
He could easily slide himself in to that 45-55 range of the 2nd.
Regardless.
I. Dont. Like. This.
He's going to impress physically at the combine. He's 6ft 5 with around a 6ft 10 wingspan. He is a terrific defender. Very strong and physical. Offensively, he can finish through contact and has a high free throw rate. Good passer and doesn't turn the ball over a lot. People fixate on his shooting stroke, but he can shoot it well enough.
He could easily slide himself in to that 45-55 range of the 2nd.
But UK could pay more than going that late.
I guarantee you he's back. There isn't a single doubt in my mind.
How much difference is the money between 2nd or coming back? Plus if someone tells you they are drafting you maybe it would be better off to go?
Jamal Shead went 45th last season and got a 3 year 6mil deal
Bronny went 55th for a 4 year 7.9mil deal
On top of the money they get that year closer to a 2nd contract. Oweh isn't hurting for money so if he wants to bet on himself he could certainly make up that couple of million he misses out on. If those numbers of 3-3.5 are even true.
*ultimately I think he's back. Especially if hes close to his degree.
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Only 106 entrants this year. I’m not surprised he was chosen for the top 75.
I believe Chris Livingston was the last pick of the second round and signed a $7.6M deal. $3M guaranteed. You just never know.
I am actually surprised Brea was invited. Oweh was the only kid we had that was NBA ready. I am concerned Oweh will not return because he has the toughness that NBA GMs are looking for. Oweh is more likely to stay in the draft than return because his stock will not rise with another year here in Lexington and because he will be one year older. NBA likes youth.
Let’s panic and sign dame sarr just in case
Then when he’s back we can have both
Then when he’s back we can have both
Might just be my opinion, but I wouldn't say he's necessarily a great finisher, let alone a great finisher through contact, honestly. He missed quite a few bunnies this year, though so did a lot of the team. He gets pushed away from the goal or maneuvers himself that way on some layups instead of taking it strong to the basket. He's a solid finisher, but I wouldn't say he's known for it.
I can see the hitch in his shot being a problem in the NBA. Gives defenders more time to close out, but the shot itself gets results. Not consistently, like you mentioned, but results.
Doesn't turn the ball over a lot, and I'd put a little money down that it's because he's not asked to handle the ball much. His handles need work.
His athleticism and defense are undeniable. He does have the ability to finish at the rim and hit threes, but not consistently. He also doesn't have handles, and putting the ball in his hands when we were down ten point guards this past season wasn't great. Oweh is a phenomenal college player, but I think he's got a lot of work to do before he builds himself into a solid NBA pick – especially since he's undersized for an NBA 3 and would likely have to play the 2, like another poster said.
Love him, and would love to be wrong about his draft status, but I don't see it. He's got way more money coming in Lexington, loves Pope and the system, seems to love BBN, and has the chance to come back and star at UK while building his resume rather than sit in the NBA or get relegated to the G-League.
I'm damn-near certain Oweh comes back.
I'll give the alternative to leaving now.
6'5" athletes with long wingspans are a dime a dozen in the NBA.
Decent defender but would not say "terrific". Now Butler was "terrific".
Strong and physical:YES. Erratic and inconsistent:YES.
Finishes through contact not as easily as he should be able to.
Good passer and doesn't turn it over, but his decision making needs improvement.
Shooting form needs refinement.
Now saying all of that, Otega is a FABULOUS basketball player but he could REALLY improve in ALL of the above areas by coming back and being the focal point of a great team next season. He has the potential to make a leap like Walter Clayton Jr. did this past season and become a 1st team All-American AND a 1st round draft pick. If he stays in the draft, he'll spend next season in the G-league without the HUGE stage another year at UK would provide him.
Even if he made it in to the end of first round (highly unlikely) his salary would probably be $2M. He will likely make more than that at UK. Very little concern here.