BREAKING: Kentucky Star Otega Oweh declares for NBA Draft but leaves door Open for a comeback to NCAA

Kentucky leading scorer Otega Oweh has declared for the 2025 NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility, he announced on Tuesday.

“To the best fans in the nation, the Big Blue Nation, getting to play the game I love each day, knowing I have your support alongside my family and friends has truly been a dream come true, and I am incredibly blessed,” Oweh posted to his Instagram page. “I’m taking the next step and have declared for the 2025 NBA Draft while maintaining my NCAA eligibility.”

The Second Team All-SEC selection averaged a team-high 16.2 points to go along with 4.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.6 steals while starting all 36 games for the Wildcats this season.

Oweh, a transfer from Oklahoma, scored in double figures in 33 of 36 games with 13 games of 20 points or more, including a career-high 28 points and the game-winner against the Sooners in Norman. He also scored 27 points and beat his former team at the buzzer in the SEC Tournament.

In a 76-57 win over Troy in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Oweh became the first UK player since Walter McCarty in 1996 with 20+ points, 8+ rebounds, and 5+ assists in an NCAA Tournament game.

Among Kentucky transfers, only Antonio Reeves (667 points in 2023-24) and national player of the year Oscar Tshiebwe (590 points in 2021-22) scored more points in a season than Oweh’s 584 points this season.

Upon leaving Oklahoma last offseason, Oweh was ranked as the No. 31 overall transfer in the portal by 247Sports. In 247Sports’ final re-rank of the 2024 portal class, Oweh finished No. 7 overall.

Oweh had until April 26 to declare for the draft and has until May 28 to withdraw his name from the draft and still maintain his collegiate eligibility. The NBA Draft Combine, which will be a good indicator of Oweh’s draft prospects, will take place May 11-18 in Chicago.

Last offseason, BYU transfer and Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year Jaxson Robinson withdrew just ahead of the deadline before committing to Kentucky and was the Wildcats’ second-leading scorer before suffering a season-ending wrist injury.

Last week, ESPN released its updated 2025 NBA mock draft and it did not include Oweh among the 59 draft picks. Kentucky sharpshooter Koby Brea was projected to go No. 54 overall to the Indiana Pacers.

Backup center Brandon Garrison announced on Sunday he will return next season. Kentucky is also expected to return reserves Collin Chandler, Trent Noah, and Travis Perry from last year’s squad.

On Friday, UK head coach Mark Pope and the Wildcats officially announced the signings of its 4-man transfer portal class, which ranks No. 3 nationally and includes forward Mouhamed Dioubate (Alabama), point guard Jaland Lowe (Pittsburgh), center Jayden Quaintance (Arizona State), and wing Kam Williams (Tulane) and features one top-10, two top-30, three top-40 and four top-60 prospects in the transfer portal according to reports.

The Wildcats also signed a top-25 high school class, featuring 4-star shooting guard Jasper Johnson (No. 20 overall) and 4-star center and McDonald’s All-American Malachi Moreno (No. 28). Four-star point guard and top-35 prospect Acaden Lewis, who had signed with UK in November, decommitted last week and reopened his recruitment.

TWO HORSE RACE: Kentucky Wildcats now favourites as they Makes Final Push to seal deal for Game-Changing Transfer

The recruitment of Sam Houston State transfer Lamar Wilkerson has reached its final chapter, and only two programs remain standing. After officially canceling visits to Auburn and Ole Miss, Wilkerson has narrowed his focus to the Kentucky Wildcats and the Indiana Hoosiers. His recruitment is now a two-horse race, and a decision is expected within days.

Final Visits

Wilkerson just wrapped up back-to-back official visits with Indiana and Kentucky — his only two before shutting down the rest of his recruitment. According to KSR’s Jack Pilgrim, the 6-foot-5 guard will return home Monday evening to discuss his options with family, with a final decision expected later in the week.

Momentum, it seems, may be shifting toward Lexington. On3’s Jamie Shaw reported that Kentucky is “carrying momentum” at this stage of the process. While Indiana remains firmly in contention and could still make a strong late push, Kentucky appears to be trending in the right direction.

Wilkerson’s Stock Soars After Breakout Season

Wilkerson arrives in the portal as one of its most coveted names. He averaged 20.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game during his junior season, while shooting 47.7% from the field, an outstanding 44.5% from three, and 82.2% from the free-throw line. He was a model of consistency, scoring in double digits in every game and posting 20 or more points on 17 occasions.

That production has earned him the No. 26 spot in the portal rankings, making him the seventh-highest-rated player still available. For any team looking to add a proven, efficient scorer to its backcourt, Wilkerson is an ideal fit.

Kentucky’s Pitch vs. Indiana’s Opportunity

Kentucky enters this battle with a nearly full roster, currently boasting 12 scholarship players for the 2025–26 season. Under new head coach Mark Pope, the Wildcats are constructing a team that blends talent, experience, and depth. Wilkerson would be the final piece, a dynamic scoring guard capable of contributing on both ends.

Indiana, however, offers a contrasting opportunity. With just four players locked in for next season, the Hoosiers have immediate playing time and likely a more prominent role on the table. They’ve also been aggressive in the NIL space, something that could become a deciding factor.

The Endgame Approaches

Recruitments like this are rarely linear. As college basketball continues to evolve with NIL and the transfer portal, no decision is truly final until the commitment is announced. But one thing is certain: Wilkerson is in the endgame now. Whether he chooses Kentucky’s established structure or Indiana’s opportunity-filled rebuild is up to Wilkerson.

Kentucky takes final decision on Pursuing 6-foot-8 Star forward Transfer aiming to Shape the team

Kentucky is officially out of the running for Robert Morris transfer Alvaro Folgueiras, according to a report from KSR’s Jacob Polacheck. Once seen as a potential frontcourt addition for Mark Pope’s Wildcats, the 6-foot-8 forward is now focused on three schools: Iowa, Providence, and Villanova, with official visits scheduled to begin this week.

Folgueiras has been one of the more intriguing big men in the transfer portal this offseason. A native of Gijón, Spain, he took a major leap in his sophomore year with the Colonials, developing into a complete, do-it-all forward. In 34 games, he averaged 13.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.1 blocks per contest while playing just over 29 minutes per game as a full-time starter.

What truly set Folgueiras apart, though, was his efficiency. He shot 54.4% from the field, 41.5% from three (on 3.1 attempts per game), and 78.3% from the free-throw line — an impressive blend of inside-out scoring that made him a mismatch against most defenders in the Horizon League.

Kentucky’s decision to back off Folgueiras could be a sign of growing confidence in the current roster construction or a reflection of new transfer targets emerging as priorities. With Jayden Quaintance recovering from injury, and the program still eyeing additional size and athleticism, the Wildcats will likely stay aggressive in the portal, even if Folgueiras is no longer on their board.

Under new head coach Mark Pope, Kentucky has pursued a clear identity: skilled, high-IQ players who can space the floor and play unselfishly. On paper, Folgueiras checked all those boxes, making his early interest from the Wildcats no surprise. But as Kentucky evaluates fit, experience, and long-term potential, the coaching staff appears to be going in a different direction.

As for Folgueiras, the next step in his college career looks bright. Each of his remaining suitors brings something different to the table — from Iowa’s up-tempo style to Villanova’s structured offensive sets, to Providence’s gritty Big East brand of basketball. Wherever he lands, he’s likely to play a significant role from day one.

Meanwhile, Kentucky remains one of the more active teams in the portal, with a roster full of promising freshmen, returning talent, and a handful of open spots still left to fill. While Folgueiras won’t be part of that mix, Big Blue Nation can expect more moves as Pope continues to shape his first team in Lexington.

Kentucky Basketball Star Leaves Two-Word Announcement Message for Wildcats Fans as he promises to win titles following..….

Brandon Garrison will be returning to Kentucky for another season.

With a concise statement and a highlight reel shared to Instagram on Saturday night, Brandon Garrison removed any uncertainty surrounding his basketball future: “I’m back.” The sophomore forward will return to Kentucky for a second season, solidifying his role in a reshaped Wildcats roster under head coach Mark Pope.

Garrison’s return marks a key development for a Kentucky team entering Year 2 of Pope’s tenure. After an offseason of roster turnover, his decision offers both continuity and depth in a frontcourt that now features one of the top transfer classes in the nation.

Growth and Adaptation in Year One

Transferring from Oklahoma State last offseason, Garrison quickly integrated into Pope’s system, appearing in all 35 games and emerging as a steady contributor off the bench. He averaged 5.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game, while shooting 50.9% from the field and 30% from three, a notable development for a player who didn’t attempt a three-pointer during his freshman season in Stillwater.

Beyond the stats, Garrison’s year in Lexington was defined by steady growth and a willingness to expand his game. Whether flashing new offensive tools or showing improved decision-making, he became a reliable and increasingly versatile presence on the court.

Impact Moments and Playoff Presence

Garrison’s contributions often came at critical moments. He delivered 13 points and six rebounds in just 16 minutes during Kentucky’s first-round NCAA Tournament win over Troy. Other standout performances included a 15-point outing against LSU, a 12-point, 4-block game in a road win over Oklahoma, and a 10-point, 9-rebound effort in a comeback victory over Gonzaga.

Head coach Mark Pope highlighted Garrison’s decision-making and poise, noting his advanced court vision and ability to make the right play under pressure. “He’s a high-level decision-maker,” Pope said. “Sometimes wrong, never in doubt, and that’s what you want in a player.”

Role in a Competitive Rotation

With Garrison’s return, Kentucky’s frontcourt becomes even deeper heading into the 2025-26 season. The roster now features 12 players, including highly-ranked transfers such as Jayden Quaintance, Jaland Lowe, and Mouhamed Dioubate, along with returning players like Otega Oweh and Collin Chandler.

Despite the influx of frontcourt talent, Garrison’s decision to stay reflects confidence in his development and a belief in his role moving forward. The competition for minutes will be intense, but it also sets the stage for a dynamic and flexible lineup.

Looking Ahead

Brandon Garrison’s return provides stability to a program undergoing rapid transformation. As Kentucky prepares for the upcoming season, his presence adds experience, adaptability, and a clear signal that the Wildcats are building around players committed to growth.

HEARTBREAK: Duke women’s basketball suffer loses key contributor to transfer portal

The first big knock in the transfer portal has hit Duke women’s basketball.

The Duke women’s basketball program has already lost a few players to the transfer portal this far, but this exit is certainly the most costly, as sophomore Oluchi Okananwa has entered the NCAA transfer portal after two seasons in Durham.

BREAKING: Duke’s Oluchi Okananwa has entered the transfer portal, sources told @On3sports.

The 5-10 sophomore averaged 10.1 ppg and 5.3 rpg this season.

TRACKER: https://t.co/StsxDxjlYl pic.twitter.com/oQDNes76Fo

— Talia Goodman (@TaliaGoodmanWBB) April 11, 2025

Okananwa was a key reserve off the bench for Kara Lawson through her two seasons with the Blue Devils, averaging 21.4 and 22.4 minutes per game in 2023-24 and 2024-25 respectively. This past season, the Boston, MA native averaged 10.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.8 steals a night on 47.3% shooting from the field and 30% shooting from three-point range.

Through the portal cycle for Duke women’s basketball thus far, no key contributors have elected to hit the portal until now. It was hoped that the program could bring back most, if not all, of its key pieces from its 2024-25 squad that won the ACC Tournament, earned a 2-seed in the NCAA Tournament, and made it to the Elite 8. At this time, at least one key contributor from that team will be out.

Okananwa earned ACC Sixth Player of the Year as a freshman in 2024, averaging 9.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.3 steals a night on 47.8% shooting from the floor and 34.8% shooting from three off the bench for the Blue Devils.

The 5’10 guard was a huge piece to the Blue Devils’ success in the ACC Tournament, averaging 16.3 points on 65.2% shooting from the field and 75% shooting from beyond the arc through Duke’s three ACC Tournament games. She capped the conference tournament off with a 22-point and 10-rebound double-double effort in the Blue Devils’ 76-62 ACC Tournament Championship victory over North Carolina State.

The sophomore averaged 9.7 points per game in the NCAA Tournament for Duke in 2025.

Even with this exit, the Duke women’s basketball program still has most of its core still remaining to return in 2025-26, including Toby Fournier, the 2024-25 ACC Rookie of the Year. The only departures at this point are Okananwa and Reigan Richardson, as Richardson is out of collegiate eligibility. Okananwa and Richardson were the third and fourth-leading scorers for the Blue Devils in 2024-25, respectively.