Otega Oweh’s 2024-25 season with the Kentucky Wildcats saw him emerge as a primary scoring option, averaging 16.2 points per game. This was a significant jump from his sophomore year at Oklahoma (11.4 PPG) and his freshman year (4.8 PPG). As he heads into his senior season with Kentucky in 2025-26 under new head coach Mark Pope, the question of whether he will increase his scoring average is complex, with several factors at play.
-
Continued Development and Experience: Oweh has demonstrated a consistent upward trajectory in his scoring output throughout his collegiate career. Each season, he has taken on a larger offensive role and improved his efficiency. As a senior, he will be the most experienced player in Mark Pope’s new-look Kentucky roster. This veteran presence, combined with another year of physical and skill development, could lead to even greater offensive refinement. His ability to absorb contact and finish at the rim, combined with a developing mid-range game and improving three-point shot, suggests he still has room to grow as a scorer.
-
Mark Pope’s Offensive System: Coach Mark Pope’s offensive philosophy at BYU and now at Kentucky emphasizes pace, spacing, and three-point shooting. This system often creates more scoring opportunities for versatile wings and guards who can attack the basket and shoot from deep. Oweh’s skill set, particularly his slashing ability and improving catch-and-shoot prowess, seems well-suited to thrive in such an environment. If the team plays at a faster tempo, there will naturally be more possessions and thus more scoring chances for all players, including Oweh.
-
Role as a Primary Scorer and Leader: With the significant roster turnover at Kentucky, Oweh is expected to be a focal point of the offense and a key leader. He was already the leading scorer in the 2024-25 season for the Wildcats. As the most proven returning scorer, he will likely have a high usage rate and be entrusted with critical shots. New coach Mark Pope has publicly praised Oweh’s “elite” physicality and explosiveness, suggesting he envisions a prominent role for him on offense. This increased responsibility could translate directly into more shot attempts and, consequently, more points.
-
Improved Shooting Efficiency: While Oweh made progress with his three-point shooting in 2024-25 (35.5%), there’s still room for improvement to become a truly elite perimeter threat. If he can consistently hit threes at a higher clip, say closer to 40%, it would open up his driving lanes even further and make him a much more difficult player to guard, leading to more scoring opportunities and potentially a higher average. His free throw percentage (77.6% in 2024-25) also indicates a solid foundation for scoring from the line.
-
Chemistry with New Teammates: While building chemistry is a challenge, it can also unlock new offensive possibilities. The incoming transfers and freshmen in Pope’s system might complement Oweh’s game in ways that weren’t possible with the previous roster. For instance, if Kentucky has more consistent three-point shooters or better distributors, it could create more space for Oweh to drive or get open looks, leading to higher efficiency and more points.
-
New System Adjustment: While Pope’s system theoretically fits Oweh, any new coaching staff and offensive scheme require an adjustment period. Players need time to learn new plays, understand new roles, and develop chemistry with entirely new teammates. This initial period of adaptation could lead to some offensive inconsistency or a temporary dip in scoring while the team finds its rhythm.
-
Roster Talent and Distribution: Mark Pope has brought in a high-caliber recruiting class, featuring a mix of experienced transfers and highly-touted freshmen. Players like Jaxson Robinson (if he returns), Koby Brea, Lamont Butler, and Amari Williams also provided significant scoring in 2024-25. Additionally, incoming freshmen like Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno will also demand touches and contribute offensively. The offensive workload might be more evenly distributed among a deeper and more talented roster than perhaps Oweh experienced as the clear leading scorer in 2024-25, especially if some of the talented new recruits quickly acclimate and become immediate scoring threats. This increased competition for shots could naturally cap his scoring upside.
-
Defensive Focus from Opponents: After leading Kentucky in scoring in 2024-25, Oweh will undoubtedly be a marked man on opponent scouting reports. Defenses will likely tailor their strategies to limit his effectiveness, throwing double teams, denying him the ball, or forcing him into contested shots. This heightened defensive attention could make it more challenging for him to maintain or increase his scoring average, even with improved personal skill.
-
Physicality and Foul Trouble: Oweh plays a physical brand of basketball, often attacking the rim and drawing contact. While this leads to free throw opportunities, it also exposes him to foul trouble. If the new system or increased defensive attention leads to more fouls, it could limit his minutes on the floor and consequently his scoring output.
-
Potential NBA Draft Stock: If Oweh has a strong start to the season and his NBA draft stock rises, there might be a subtle shift in his game, perhaps focusing more on efficiency, playmaking, or specific aspects that NBA scouts value, rather than purely maximizing his point total. While an increase in scoring could help his stock, a more well-rounded, efficient game might be prioritized if he’s close to a guaranteed draft pick.
Considering all factors, it’s more likely that Otega Oweh will score a similar or slightly increased average in the 2025-26 season compared to his 16.2 PPG in 2024-25.
Here’s why:
- Positive Factors are Stronger: His consistent individual development, the offensive philosophy of Mark Pope, and his established role as a primary scoring option and senior leader are powerful indicators for continued or improved offensive output. He’s entering his final year with a refined game and likely higher confidence.
- Talent Distribution: While there will be other scorers, Pope’s system thrives on multiple threats, and Oweh’s ability to drive and draw defenders will create opportunities for others, which in turn could create more openings for him. The new talent might elevate the overall offensive efficiency, benefiting everyone.
- Emphasis on Versatility: Pope’s system values versatility, and Oweh’s ability to score inside, from the mid-range, and with an improving three-point shot makes him adaptable and difficult to neutralize.
While a significant jump to, say, 20+ PPG might be challenging given the depth of talent, an average between 16.5 and 18.0 PPG seems very plausible. He has proven he can be the leading scorer for a high-major program, and with a year of experience in the SEC and under a coach who will empower him, he’s poised to continue his scoring prowess for the Kentucky Wildcats. The true measure of his offensive impact might not just be his raw scoring numbers, but also his efficiency and how well he facilitates the scoring of his new teammates within Mark Pope’s dynamic system.
