Otega Oweh officially achieved his NBA dream on Wednesday night when the Oklahoma City Thunder selected him with the No. 41 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
As congratulations poured in from across the basketball world, one message stood out to Kentucky fans more than any other—the words of Wildcats head coach Mark Pope.
Pope, who coached Oweh for two memorable seasons in Lexington, couldn’t hide how proud he was to see one of his program’s cornerstone players reach the NBA. His message reflected not only Oweh’s growth as a basketball player but also the character that made him such an important part of Kentucky Basketball.
For Big Blue Nation, it was another reminder of the special bond between Pope and one of the first stars of his tenure.
When Pope arrived at Kentucky, Oweh was one of the key transfers brought in to help build a new foundation for the program. While several newcomers generated attention, Oweh quickly separated himself through his relentless work ethic, leadership, and ability to deliver in the biggest moments.
He became one of the faces of Pope’s first Kentucky team, earning All-SEC Second Team honors and helping establish the culture the coaching staff wanted to build.
Instead of leaving for the NBA after his breakout season, Oweh made the surprising decision to return for one more year in Lexington.
That decision proved invaluable.
Despite missing valuable time with a foot injury before the season, Oweh fought through adversity and finished his senior campaign playing the best basketball of his career. He averaged more than 21 points per game during SEC play and once again became Kentucky’s go-to player when the Wildcats needed a big performance.
His unforgettable game-tying halfcourt shot in the NCAA Tournament only added to his legacy.
Now, that journey has taken him to Oklahoma City.
The Thunder provide one of the NBA’s best environments for young talent, and Oweh will have the opportunity to learn alongside former Kentucky standouts Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Cason Wallace as he begins his professional career.
For Pope, seeing Oweh drafted represents more than individual success.
It serves as another example of Kentucky preparing players for the next level while reinforcing the culture he has worked to establish since arriving in Lexington.
Kentucky fans quickly reacted to Pope’s message, with many expressing appreciation for the relationship the two built over the past two seasons. The mutual respect between coach and player was evident throughout Oweh’s time at Kentucky, making this milestone especially meaningful.
Although Oweh’s college career has come to an end, his impact on the program will continue to be felt.
He leaves Lexington as one of the defining players of the early Mark Pope era—a leader, a competitor, and a player who embraced everything that comes with wearing Kentucky blue.
Now, as Oweh begins his NBA career, Pope and the entire Kentucky community will be cheering him on.
For Kentucky fans, the draft wasn’t just about seeing another Wildcat reach the NBA.
It was about celebrating a player who helped shape the future of the program—and a coach who never stopped believing in him.
