Kentucky junior guard Otega Oweh is mastering the art of being fully present in every aspect of his life — from the classroom to the hardwood. After Kentucky’s 93-85 win over Louisville, head coach Mark Pope shared a light-hearted story that highlighted Oweh’s commitment to being engaged both as a student and an athlete.
Pope recalled a recent incident when Oweh, known for his discipline, showed up early to class after a morning shootaround. However, when he arrived, he discovered that class had been canceled, prompting a video from Oweh sitting alone in the empty classroom. Pope laughed, noting that Oweh exemplifies being “present” in the truest sense.
This commitment to being in the moment has carried over to Oweh’s performance on the basketball court as well. Although he was quiet in the first half of the game against Louisville, Oweh stepped up when it mattered most. By the final buzzer, he finished with 17 points on 7-11 shooting, including a key three-pointer in the final minute that sealed the victory for Kentucky. His performance down the stretch — scoring nine points in the last three minutes — was a key factor in the Wildcats’ win.
“I was a little quiet throughout the game, so I just wanted to keep on being aggressive,” Oweh said after the game.
Oweh’s coach, Mark Pope, praised his ability to stay focused and not get rattled by the ups and downs of the game. “One of the great things about O is he’s just in the moment,” Pope said. “He’s got a pretty great capacity of just being dialed into the moment and not spending a lot of time worrying about the consequences of what might happen or what just did happen.”
For Oweh, being present is about more than just staying focused during games or attending class. It’s about soaking in every experience during this season — one that he knows will leave a lasting impact. “Every day is something that I’ll just always remember for the rest of my life,” Oweh shared. “Just being a part of Kentucky, there’s so many things that are going to happen day in and day out that you’re just always going to remember.”
Oweh’s ability to stay present, whether on the court or in life, is shaping up to be one of his most valuable assets as he continues to grow as both a player and a person.
