NBA Dreams in Motion: Otega Oweh and Koby Brea Suit Up for Draft Combine Scrimmages—What It Means for Kentucky and Their Pro Hopes
The 2025 NBA Draft Combine is officially underway in Chicago, and while the week-long event is packed with measurements, drills, workouts, and interviews, the real excitement tips off with the 5-on-5 scrimmages starting Wednesday afternoon streaming live on the ESPN app. And this year, two players with Kentucky connections will be front and center.
Otega Oweh, the high-flying All-SEC guard who electrified Rupp Arena last season, and Koby Brea, the sharpshooting transfer who made his mark as one of the best three-point shooters in college basketball, have both made the cut for scrimmage rosters. Oweh will lace up for Team Lazare, while Brea joins Team Mueller. Unfortunately, the Bluegrass boys won’t be teammates this time, but both will have massive opportunities to prove their draft stock under the NBA microscope.
Oweh’s NBA Gamble: A Star in the Waiting
For Oweh, this Combine is more than just another showcase it’s potentially the final step before making one of the biggest decisions of his life. He has until May 28 to officially withdraw his name and return to Kentucky for a senior season, and the whispers around NBA circles are getting louder. Most mock drafts currently have Oweh outside of the top 60 picks, meaning his Combine performance this week could heavily sway scouts and his own heart.
In his own words, Oweh isn’t just testing the waters he’s cannonballing in.
“I’m all in (on the NBA),” Oweh said last Friday. “I have one more year of eligibility, but my goal is to play in the NBA, so I’m not doing this process one foot in, one foot out.”
Still, when asked if he’d only stay in the draft if he was assured a first-round pick, Oweh didn’t deny that could be the case.
“I wouldn’t say it’s completely false, but I believe I’m a first-round guy,” he said. “So, I’m just gonna go through these workouts, give it my all, and then when it’s all said and done, I’ll see where I’m at and then I’ll make that decision.”
Why His Return Could Shake Up College Basketball
If Oweh decides to return, the impact on Kentucky’s 2025-26 outlook is massive. He’d instantly be one of the top players in the SEC and possibly the country. National media analysts from ESPN, FOX Sports, and 247Sports have already begun floating the idea of Kentucky being a top 5 to top 10 team if Oweh runs it back with Coach Mark Pope.
“If Oweh comes back, Kentucky is a legitimate Final Four contender,” one analyst said.
Add in a loaded roster filled with veteran transfers, elite freshmen, and a coaching staff that’s building serious buzz, and Oweh’s return could be the spark for something special in Lexington.
Brea’s Shot to Impress
While Oweh weighs a return, Koby Brea is all in on going pro. With no eligibility left, this week’s scrimmages will serve as his final opportunity to impress scouts before draft night. At 6-foot-7 and armed with one of the smoothest outside shots in college hoops, Brea is widely viewed as a potential late second-round selection or a priority undrafted free agent target.
His ability to space the floor and play smart, off-ball basketball has made him attractive to NBA front offices looking for plug-and-play shooting.
Other Wildcats Just Missed the Cut
While Oweh and Brea are Kentucky’s official Combine reps, a few more Wildcats nearly made it to Chicago. Jaland Lowe, the explosive guard who transferred in from Pitt, was one of the top performers at the G League Elite Camp this past weekend. Despite his standout play, he was not among the five players promoted to the Combine. The same fate befell fellow Kentucky targets Amari Williams, Lamont Butler, and Andrew Carr.
Lowe’s exclusion is a minor surprise and possibly a blessing in disguise for Kentucky fans. His return will give the Wildcats another dynamic option at the point guard spot, regardless of what Oweh chooses.
What’s Next?
As Combine week rolls on, all eyes will be on Oweh. If he puts up strong performances in the scrimmages especially showcasing improved shooting and playmaking it might be enough to earn him late first or early second-round consideration. If not, a return to Lexington and a starring role on a national contender might look even more appealing.
Whether he stays or goes, Otega Oweh is a name to watch, and this week could define the next chapter of his basketball journey.
The countdown to May 28 is officially on.
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