Kentucky coach Mark Pope didn’t hesitate when asked about Otega Oweh’s recent dominance — in fact, he sounded almost amazed.
When Oweh was named Southeastern Conference Co-Player of the Week on Monday, Pope made it clear that the honor could have come much sooner — and more often.
“He could have won it every week of the entire SEC season (so far),” Pope said during his weekly radio show. “He’s been that good.”
That’s not coach-speak. That’s recognition of a player who has transformed himself into one of the most complete and dangerous forces in college basketball.
Last week alone, Oweh averaged 22.5 points per game in statement wins over Oklahoma and Tennessee. He shot a blistering 60.7 percent from the field, proving not only that he can score — but that he can do it efficiently and within the flow of the offense. He also averaged 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per contest, impacting the game in multiple ways beyond putting the ball in the basket.
And this isn’t a one-week surge. Oweh has scored 20 or more points in nine of Kentucky’s 11 conference games this season. That kind of consistency is rare in the grind of SEC play, where defenses tighten and every possession matters. His season-high 24-point performance came in a commanding 94-78 victory over Oklahoma. Just days later, he poured in 21 points in a thrilling 74-71 upset over Tennessee, a game that showcased not just his scoring ability, but his poise under pressure.
For Pope, the most exciting part isn’t just the numbers — it’s the evolution.
“We’ve seen such amazing growth in him,” Pope said. “We’ve seen him grow as a leader. We’ve seen him grow as a defender, especially as an on-ball defender. We’ve seen him grow overall.”
That growth has turned Oweh from a talented scorer into a complete two-way player. His defensive presence has become a key part of Kentucky’s identity. He’s more disciplined, more engaged, and more aggressive on the ball. Opponents are no longer just worried about stopping him offensively — they have to deal with his pressure on the other end of the floor as well.
Pope highlighted another critical area of improvement: decision-making.
“His ability to hit the short roll, his ability to get downhill, and then his willingness to play off two feet and extend the play (has improved),” Pope explained. “Sometimes I look out there over the last few weeks, I’m like, ‘I don’t even know who this guy is.’ He’s so good. … His game now offensively is becoming multi-dimensional, which is really, really exciting, and it’s helping us win.”
That “multi-dimensional” label is key. Oweh is no longer just attacking the rim or settling for perimeter shots. He’s reading defenses, creating opportunities for teammates, and adjusting in real time. When defenders hedge too hard, he makes the right pass. When they sag off, he attacks. When they crowd him, he finishes through contact.
One of the clearest examples of his growth came in the closing moments against Tennessee. Instead of forcing a contested shot in a high-pressure situation, Oweh made the smart play — delivering a clutch assist to Collin Chandler for a game-changing three-pointer.
“(He) made an unbelievable pass to Collin Chandler,” Pope recalled. “Those are the type of plays that you see from guys that are next-level players.”
Next-level. That’s the phrase that keeps surfacing around Oweh.
Even his former coach at Oklahoma, Porter Moser, had nothing but praise after watching Oweh lead Kentucky to victory at Rupp Arena.
“Otega is just an elite player,” Moser said. “He can knock down the shot. He puts you in a really decision-making mode off-ball screens, because he can turn the corner on you. Now he’s making really good decisions passing out of it. I just see he’s becoming a complete player.”
Becoming complete. That transformation may be the most dangerous development for the rest of the SEC.
Pope even drew comparisons between Oweh and former NBA star Antoine Walker, a former teammate of his at Kentucky. It’s high praise — and not given lightly.
“There’s something similar between Otega Oweh and Antoine Walker,” Pope said. “There’s just something similar in terms of their impact on the game and their reliability, especially as Antoine got a little bit older.”
Reliability is the hallmark of great players. It’s not just about highlight plays — it’s about delivering every night. Oweh has scored in double figures in all 24 games this season, a testament to his consistency and focus. He now sits just five points away from reaching the 1,000-point milestone in his collegiate career — another marker of sustained excellence.
But perhaps the most telling sign of Oweh’s rise isn’t in the stats or accolades. It’s in the way his coach talks about him — with a mix of pride, surprise, and genuine admiration.
“I don’t even know who this guy is,” Pope said.
That’s not confusion. That’s awe.
Otega Oweh isn’t just having a hot stretch. He’s redefining his ceiling. He’s elevating Kentucky in the toughest conference in the country. And if his current trajectory continues, SEC Player of the Week honors may become routine — and something much bigger could be on the horizon.
