When ESPN’s Jay Bilas looks at Otega Oweh heading into his senior season at Kentucky, one name surprisingly comes to mind: Tim Duncan.
Yes, that Tim Duncan—the Wake Forest legend, Hall of Famer, and five-time NBA champion who built one of the greatest résumés in basketball history.
Before Duncan became “The Big Fundamental,” he didn’t rely on massive statistical jumps year to year. Instead, he mastered efficiency, defense, and maturity on the court—skills that ultimately made him the No. 1 pick and a cornerstone for winning teams.
Bilas thinks Oweh could be walking that same path in Lexington.
“I always go back to Tim Duncan—and I’m not saying Otega Oweh and Tim Duncan are comparable,” Bilas explained on the Sources Say Podcast. “What I’m saying is Duncan’s numbers weren’t substantially different from his sophomore and junior years to his senior year, but the way he did it elevated his team. I think it’s going to be similar for Otega.”
Oweh’s Breakout in Lexington
Oweh didn’t waste time making an impact after transferring from Oklahoma. In his first season at Kentucky, he averaged 16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.6 steals, earning All-SEC honors while becoming a fan favorite.
Now, as a senior, he’s projected to be Preseason SEC Player of the Year and is a legitimate All-American candidate.
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope believes the best is still to come.
“He has a chance to be the top defensive player in the country,” Pope said. “He’s going to grow exponentially again, help us win a ton of games, and put himself in even better position to be a pro.”
The Duncan Parallel
For Bilas, the Duncan comparison isn’t about Oweh suddenly scoring 24 points a night. Instead, it’s about efficiency, playmaking, and defensive dominance—the little things NBA scouts love.
“You’ll be wowed by 16 and 6, or whatever he winds up with,” Bilas said. “But it’s the maturity in the way he plays—that’s where he can really jump.”
That’s what made Duncan special. And if Oweh follows that blueprint, he could elevate Kentucky while also setting himself up for long-term NBA success.
A Long NBA Career Ahead?
Bilas doesn’t expect Oweh to enter the NBA as a franchise savior, but he does see a player capable of carving out a long career by being the type of guard who helps teams win.
“Most players like Otega are going into the league to help a team win,” Bilas said. “If they can do that, they’ll have a long career—and he’s capable of that.”
For Kentucky fans, that’s exactly what they want to hear: their senior star stepping into his prime while chasing championships in Lexington—and securing his professional future.
