Dick Vitale’s Unexpected Praise for Otega Oweh Has Everyone Talking—What Did He Say?
Last season, Otega Oweh wasn’t just another name on the Kentucky basketball roster—he was the heartbeat of a team that clawed its way into the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2019. Trust me, when national college basketball has someone with as much weight behind their opinions as Dick Vitale points a finger at a player, you better listen. Vitale didn’t just praise Oweh; he handed him a “Rolls Royce” badge, calling him strong, explosive, and clutch—a player who made Big Blue Nation leap out of their seats not once, but twice, with game-winning shots. But here’s the kicker: while Oweh dazzles on offense, Mark Pope, Kentucky’s head coach, is banking on him to become a defensive titan—maybe even the very best defenseman in the entire country. If Oweh lives up to that promise, the Wildcats aren’t just aiming to compete—they’re aiming to dominate the 2025-2026 campaign with a real shot at a national title. Intrigued? LEARN MORE
Otega Oweh was not only Kentucky basketball’s most consistent player last season. He was Kentucky’s best player on a team that got to the program’s first Sweet 16 for the first time since 2019.
When it comes to opinions of national college basketball analysts, perhaps no one has more value to their opinions than Dick Vitale.
“Big Blue Nation loves this guy,” he said of Oweh. “He’s strong, explosive and clutch. He hit not one, but TWO game-winners last year. He’s the Wildcats’ Rolls Royce slasher. I don’t hand out Rolls Royce honors to just any player, unless he’s the kind to make you stand up and say, ‘Are you serious, baby?!’”
Here is the complete list of luxury talents in college basketball this season, according to Vitale.
Oweh is a natural scorer, but Wildcats head coach Mark Pope has high expectations for him on the defensive end going into the season. Those expectations go so far as Oweh potentially being the best defensive player in the country.
“He’s going to grow — he’s going to grow exponentially again, and he’s going to help us win a ton of games,” Pope said. “He’s going to play great basketball, and he’s going to put himself in an even better position to be a pro.”
With Oweh, Kentucky is a national championship contender going into 2025-2026.
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