Big Blue Nation, take notice—two standout Wildcats make their mark as early entrants in the 2025 NBA Draft spotlight!
Two Kentucky Wildcats, Otega Oweh and Jaland Lowe, have officially entered the early draft pool for the 2025 NBA Draft. The NBA revealed Tuesday that 106 players have filed as early entry candidates, including Oweh and Lowe. While Oweh’s participation was expected, Lowe’s decision to test the waters came as more of a surprise.
Both players now have until May 28 to withdraw and maintain their college eligibility. The NBA Draft is scheduled for June 25–26 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.
Oweh, a rising senior guard, had an impressive 2024-25 campaign and earned All-SEC recognition. Though not currently projected as a first-round pick, he landed at No. 77 on ESPN’s latest Top 100 Big Board by Jonathan Givony. He’s not yet listed in most mock drafts, but with strong workouts and feedback from NBA scouts, there’s a possibility his stock could rise. Should he return to Lexington, Oweh would likely be the focal point of head coach Mark Pope’s second Kentucky squad.
Lowe, a rising junior guard who recently transferred from Pittsburgh to Kentucky, hasn’t attracted the same draft attention. He’s not featured on any major draft boards, and there’s little buzz around his NBA potential at this time. However, his decision to enter the draft process aligns with a common trend among players seeking professional evaluations, and it was previously reported when he entered the transfer portal.
It’s anticipated that both Oweh and Lowe will go through the evaluation process to gain valuable insight from scouts and front-office personnel before ultimately returning to school. Their inclusion in the early entry pool seems more exploratory than definitive, with the goal of refining their games and draft profiles for future consideration.
The 2025 NBA Draft will feature only 59 picks, making the selection process even more competitive than usual. While Oweh appears to have a slim shot at being drafted, Lowe would need a significant boost in visibility and performance to alter his current status.
For now, Kentucky fans await decisions from both guards, with the hope that they’ll return stronger for another season in blue and white. Their development could be key to a successful 2025–26 campaign under Coach Pope.
