Otega Oweh and DeAndre Liggins: Quiet Stars, Shared Struggles, and Kentucky Grit — Watch the Journey Unfold

Otega Oweh and DeAndre Liggins: Quiet Stars, Shared Struggles, and Kentucky Grit — Watch the Journey Unfold

Though their Kentucky careers are separated by more than a decade, Otega Oweh and DeAndre Liggins discovered just how closely their journeys mirror each other’s during a recent sit-down for UK’s Back in Blue series  a part of the university’s lead-up to La Familia’s run in The Basketball Tournament (TBT).

In a thoughtful 15-minute conversation, the two Wildcats connected over their quiet intensity, blue-collar work ethic, and winding paths to stardom  with both players transforming from role players into NBA Draft hopefuls after their junior seasons.

Liggins, now a seasoned pro and La Familia veteran, and Oweh, Kentucky’s returning captain for the upcoming season, don’t say much off the court  but their games speak volumes. That stoic confidence, however, must evolve when you’re expected to lead. For Oweh, that’s the challenge ahead.

“Now I’m a vet, which is crazy,” Oweh admitted to Liggins. “I feel like last year I was just a freshman. But the way time moves is crazy. I’m definitely working on it.”

Liggins smiled knowingly, recalling his own climb through adversity to help lead Kentucky to the 2011 Final Four. For him, the magic of that season wasn’t built in March  it started in July.

“It started in the summer,” Liggins said. “That’s the time to get better, connect with the guys, learn the guys on and off the court… This time right now is the most important time. Even though it’s the summer, don’t get caught up in the summer.”

Both men understand the value of hunger  that unteachable desire to prove the doubters wrong. Liggins, preparing to suit up for La Familia, asked Oweh what he believes this year’s Kentucky identity will be under Mark Pope.

Oweh didn’t hesitate.

“We’re all just hungry,” he said. “None of us got recruited here the first time. We all got that chip on our shoulder. We all hear the chatter where maybe we’re not supposed to be here or it’s not the same dynamic as the old Kentucky… but we’re all hungry.”

The junior guard continued, “I feel like our identity is that we’re dogs. We’re trying to go get it.”

While fans will have to wait until the fall to see Oweh don the Kentucky blue once again, they can catch Liggins and La Familia in action much sooner  this Sunday at 2:30 PM ET on Fox, when they take on War Ready in TBT action.

Two eras. Two underdogs. One Kentucky standard.