Kentucky Wildcats Player Otega Oweh Doesn’t Care if He’s Underrated, He Just Wants to Win: Mark Pope Explains in an Interview
Lexington, KY – November 17, 2024 – Despite being one of the most promising talents in college basketball this season, Kentucky Wildcats forward Otega Oweh has often found himself flying under the radar, overshadowed by higher-profile recruits and established stars across the nation. But as his team embarks on a high-stakes season in the SEC, Oweh’s head coach, Mark Pope, insists that the quiet, focused forward isn’t bothered by being “underrated”—he’s far more interested in winning.
In an exclusive interview, Pope spoke candidly about Oweh’s mentality, his work ethic, and why the player’s unassuming nature is precisely what makes him such an asset to the Wildcats this season.
“Otega is the kind of player who’s hard to describe to people who haven’t seen him play every day,” Pope said, leaning forward in his office at the Wildcats’ training facility. “He’s not going to make headlines with flashy dunks or viral plays—though, trust me, he can do that if he wants to. He’s a player who wants to contribute in every way possible to help this team win games. And that’s rare.”
Oweh, a 6’8” forward from Newark, New Jersey, came to Kentucky as part of a highly anticipated recruiting class but wasn’t immediately considered the centerpiece of the Wildcats’ future. While other freshman stars like Tyrese Maxey and Xavier Booker captured more attention, Oweh quietly worked behind the scenes, putting in hours of extra practice, fine-tuning his skills, and learning under Pope’s guidance.
For Oweh, however, the lack of media attention or preseason accolades is a non-issue. “I don’t care about any of that. If people want to sleep on me, that’s fine. I’m here to win, not to make noise,” Oweh told The Kentucky Chronicle in a rare moment of reflection. “This team has a goal: to win a championship. I’ll do whatever it takes to help us get there, whether it’s scoring, defending, or just setting up my teammates. Whatever coach needs, that’s what I’m going to do.”
Pope echoed Oweh’s sentiment, emphasizing that the forward’s unselfish nature is one of the primary reasons he’s been such an effective player for the Wildcats, even if his name doesn’t always make it into the headlines.
“Otega’s been a massive part of what we’re doing here. He’s someone who understands the game at a deeper level than a lot of people give him credit for. It’s not always about what shows up on the stat sheet. It’s the way he defends, the way he communicates on the court, and his ability to adapt to whatever the team needs from him in any given moment. You don’t find that in many young players,” Pope continued.
The 2024 season has seen Oweh emerge as a key figure for Kentucky, playing a crucial role on both ends of the floor. While he doesn’t lead the team in scoring, he’s been instrumental in helping the Wildcats get the ball to their scorers, pull down critical rebounds, and defend the perimeter against some of the best players in the country.
His unrelenting drive has made him a favorite among his teammates, who have repeatedly praised his ability to lead by example rather than by words. “Otega just works,” said senior guard Kellan Grady. “He doesn’t care about the spotlight. He doesn’t care about how many points he scores. He just wants to win, and that’s contagious. I think that’s one of the reasons this team is coming together so well.”
Pope was quick to point out that Oweh’s humility and hunger to improve have been vital in the Wildcats’ locker room culture. “As a coach, I want players who are willing to put the team first, and that’s Otega,” Pope said. “He’s not the type of guy who’s going to get upset if he doesn’t get 15 shots in a game. He’s going to do whatever it takes to make the team successful. That mindset is why I’m so confident in what we can do this year.”
Despite being slightly overshadowed by more highly touted prospects, Oweh’s impact has been undeniable. With Kentucky looking to build momentum for the upcoming SEC and NCAA tournaments, Pope is hopeful that Oweh’s selflessness and commitment to team success will continue to define the Wildcats’ season.
For Oweh, however, there’s only one thing that matters: “I’m just here to win games. That’s all that’s on my mind. Championships, that’s the goal. Everything else is just noise.”
As the Wildcats push through the final stretch of the season, one thing is clear—Oweh’s understated contributions may just be the key to their ultimate success.
