The 2026 NBA Draft concluded with Wednesday’s second spherical as groups made their ultimate choices in one of many deepest courses within the draft’s historical past.
One choose which will have flown just a little underneath the radar was forty first general choice Otega Oweh. The previous Kentucky guard, who spent his first two seasons at Oklahoma, was drafted by the Miami Heat earlier than his rights have been traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Whereas he might haven’t been the flashiest choose of the night time, Oweh affords quite a lot of upside for a younger Thunder group that simply received the NBA title two seasons in the past.
Otega Oweh might be one of many greatest steals of the draft
This was the second Oweh’s title was referred to as by NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum.
Throughout his senior season in Lexington, Oweh averaged a team-high 18.6 factors, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.8 steals. He solely shot 33.3% from lengthy vary and will definitely should be extra environment friendly to reach the NBA, however his defensive tenacity and talent to bully his option to the rim might show beneficial on a proficient Thunder squad.
The Thunder allowed the second-fewest factors within the 2025-26 season (108 PPG), so it isn’t out of the query that Oweh might be a stable function participant off the bench who generally is a disruptor on the defensive finish and change into a dependable depth piece.
Whereas Oweh’s taking pictures might use some enchancment, his knack for driving to the rim might permit him to both draw fouls or draw some consideration away from back-to-back league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and set him and others up for open seems to be.
Positive, Oweh’s efficiency within the Summer season League shall be key to the Thunder elevating him to the primary roster and having an opportunity throughout his rookie season. With that stated, his toughness and physicality needs to be an enormous profit on a group that he suits in extraordinarily properly on.
For starters, Gilgeous-Alexander and Cason Wallace are additionally former Wildcats, so he has that going for him already. When absolutely wholesome, this was a Thunder group that clearly had an awesome shot at repeating as champions, setting Oweh up for speedy success on a contending group if he can earn some minutes.
Additionally it is essential to understand that Oweh had a number of video games at Kentucky the place he utterly took over on offense. His defensive prowess was his greatest trait at Oklahoma and was actually an element at Kentucky, however he confirmed that he’s greater than able to stepping up in clutch conditions.
Most notably, followers will all the time keep in mind his scintillating half-court buzzer-beater to drive extra time towards Santa Clara within the first spherical of the 2026 NCAA Match.
Once more, nothing about Oweh’s recreation factors to him being greater than a job participant off the bench at this level. Nonetheless, performs like that, coupled together with his toughness driving to the basket and his defensive acumen, recommend the Thunder made a sneaky-good choice right here with somebody who has the instruments to develop right into a fundamental roster participant in due time.
The Thunder are usually not going wherever anytime quickly as they proceed to construct some depth round their star gamers. Oweh might not instantly make an affect within the NBA and should exit and earn some minutes, however he’s precisely the kind of participant who could make key performs when counted on and supply a spark when the pictures are usually not falling.
