Getting to know the Sooners: Otega Oweh
Sooners basketball season is just around the corner, and it’s OK if you need a primer of who these guys are. Now in year No. 3 at Oklahoma, head coach Porter Moser is confident the program has checked all the boxes to make an NCAA run.
Here is a brief overview of some of the key pieces for OU for the 2023-24 season.
OU begins its season next Monday vs. Central Michigan in Norman.
Guard Otega Oweh – Sophomore
Oh, if Oweh can make the freshman to sophomore jump, look out. There was so much to like about what Oweh did as a freshman and so much you knew he could improve upon.
That can be exciting, knowing someone hasn’t even begun to hit their potential. Oweh worked his way into the starting lineup down the stretch.
He’s a tenacious defender. Oweh only played at one speed, it felt like. He went all-out every game, every minute he was in. The key will be to know when to pick and choose to be that guy. And when it’s better to be more measured in his approach.
What to expect?
We’re all going to watch his shooting. It was a glaring weakness last season. He has the physicality to survive the Big 12. He has the athletic ability to thrive. But Oweh needs to have improved that shot a bunch to become that much more of a threat.
He has put in the work, no doubt. But it’s going to be how it translate in live-action. You can’t just be a practice shooter.
Oweh will be one of the leaders of this team. He seems to be OK with that type of responsibility. How big of a role will he play himself into? Will be an intriguing development, especially during the non-conference season to see where he fits.
Moser says
“Skill and stamina. Fundamentally, defense. He probably led us in deflections and steals. But just also being in the right place where he needs to be. When you’re not getting the steal, are you in the right defensive position. And skill. I think he’s done a good job. His ball handling is much better, his passing and his shot looks better. His shot was really low. He’s got his shot up. We’re encouraging him every day to shoot it. He gets in there and works on it. But his skill level has taken a step up.
“Elite athlete. His strength, you don’t look at him as a true sophomore strength-wise. He wasn’t a true freshman strength-wise. Physically, he can play in the Big 12 right out of the gate last year. But I think you’re gonna see his skill level’s improved. But just his maturity as a player, where to be, fundamentally and everything. Sometimes freshmen play with reckless abandon. Sometimes that’s good. But you’ve also gotta be fundamentally sound. And I think he’s really improved that. Knowing where to be, when to be.”
