Oklahoma's Otega Oweh is Slowly Creeping Forward on NBA Draft Boards
Throughout the first half of the most promising season for Oklahoma basketball since Trae Young's lone year, draft prospect Otega Oweh has been continually proving why he should see a chance in the NBA.
At 6-foot-5, 215 pounds as a shooting guard, Oweh's broad frame and solid build at his height accentuates his all-around game, and helps add depth to his driving ability as a projected second-round pick on several draft boards.
A seemingly NBA-ready floor-spacer just as a sophomore, he does the necessary things well – relocating to open space for an open 3-pointer, remaining active and ready along the perimeter, exploding downhill off the catch, he understands how to play to his strengths.
Out of the triple threat is where he can seriously do damage to college defenses though – staying down and low to receive the ball while threatening the 3-point shot, while also able to put it down on the floor and explode to the rim with force and balance as a finisher.
Defensively, the Newark, New Jersey native's anticipation combined with his length and agility see him with 1.9 steals per game on the season, leaking out into transition and providing a spark for OU in that aspect as well.
From his freshman season at OU to his sophomore year, he's made a massive leap and assumed a much bigger role on this revamped and reinvigorated Sooners team.
He's doubled his play time (26.4 minutes), has more than doubled his shot attempts at 9.4 per game and has illustrated his proficiency as a 3-point shooter, averaging 59.3% from behind the line – while also shooting from the field at a high clip, 55%.
Though, it'd be advantageous for him to display his 3-point ability a bit further as he's found plenty of success in his 1.5 tries a game – since he could be looked upon to shoot more of those as a professional.
Oweh is the second-leading scorer for OU, behind another draft prospect in junior guard Javian McCollum – but Oweh's carried the charge defensively, tallying a team-high 34 steals on the season already.
His assist-to-turnover ratio is the only glaring issue within his personal numbers, as his decision making as a passer should be refined.
But as he continues to play at this level – 14.1 points per game as a sophomore – Oweh could continue to steadily climb up draft boards, slipping past others due to his translatable frame, versatility and reliable outside shot off the catch.
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