Otega Oweh, DeAndre Liggins Share Similar Paths to Success at Kentucky

DeAndre Liggins and Otega Oweh wore Kentucky uniforms more than a decade apart, but the Wildcats have more in common than you might think.

With La Familia competing in the TBT, UK Sports Video connected former greats with current players for the Back in Blue series. While talking together for about 15 minutes, the two Wildcats learned they had quite a bit in common.

Liggins and Oweh each had to make NBA Draft decisions after their junior years. They were role players who rose to stardom. What’s even more striking is their demeanor. They are physically gifted players who prefer to let their play do their talking. But if you’re a team captain, like Oweh is for this upcoming season, you also have to be a demanding vocal leader.

“That’s something I’m still working on every day,” Oweh told Liggins. “Now I’m a vet, which is crazy. I feel like last year I was just a freshman, but the way time moves is crazy. I’m definitely working on it.”

When reflecting on his career at Kentucky, Liggins noted the many ups and downs his team went through before reaching the 2011 Final Four. He stressed that their success in March actually began months before during the summer.

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“It started in the summer. That’s the time to get better, connect with the guys, learn the guys on and off the court… This time right now is the most important time. Even though it’s the summer, don’t get caught up in the summer,” Liggins said.

Ahead of the TBT competition, Liggins and La Familia had a few chances to practice against Mark Pope’s team. He asked Oweh what he believes this team’s identity will be.

“We’re all just hungry. None of us got recruited here the first time. We all got that chip on our shoulder. We all hear the chatter where maybe we’re not supposed to be here or it’s not the same dynamic as the old Kentucky, but we’re all hungry. We all know when we go out there, we’re going to put on a show, we’re going to win games. That’s better than coming out here being entitled,” said Oweh.

“I feel like our identity is that we’re dogs. We’re trying to go get it.”

You’ll have to wait a few months to see No. 00 in action, but you’ll be able to watch Liggins suit up on Sunday at 2:30 PM ET against War Ready on Fox.