Mark Pope has been impressed with the growth of Otega Oweh, Kentucky’s standout guard who has emerged as one of the team’s most consistent and productive players this season. At 15.7 points per game, Oweh leads the Wildcats in scoring, and his efficiency has skyrocketed. According to Pope, Oweh is playing more efficiently than ever before, placing him in the top seven percentile of college basketball players for efficiency.
However, Pope continues to challenge Oweh to fine-tune his decision-making on the court. While Oweh is aggressive and often makes dynamic plays, there are moments where his intensity leads to mistakes—like jumping in the air with no clear option or forcing a tough shot at the rim. Pope is working to help him find a balance between playing freely and staying under control, narrowing the margin for error.
Pope emphasized the importance of Oweh’s ability to play off two feet, which allows him to make better decisions and avoid some of the chaotic plays that sometimes occur when he’s too aggressive. That said, Pope sees plenty of room for growth. He noted that Oweh is improving his decision-making and becoming more efficient in live situations, striking a better balance between playing freely and making calculated decisions.
Oweh’s progress this season has been remarkable. Not only is he getting to the line more than anyone else on the team, but his career-high in assists highlights his growth as a playmaker. As Pope continues to refine his game, Oweh has the potential to become one of the Wildcats’ top performers for the rest of the season, especially if he can maintain his newfound efficiency while avoiding the temptation to overplay in certain situations.
