Otega Oweh and Jaland Lowe officially testing the NBA Draft process

Otega Oweh and Jaland Lowe will test the professional waters while keeping college eligibility intact.

On Tuesday, the NBA released its list of early entry candidates for the 2025 NBA Draft, which includes Kentucky Wildcats rising senior Otega Oweh and rising junior Jaland Lowe.

Oweh had previously announced his decision to explore the draft process, while Lowe’s inclusion was also expected. It was previously announced he would test the waters when he first entered the transfer portal while still at Pitt.

Both guards will undergo the evaluation process — including workouts, interviews, and possibly the NBA Combine — while maintaining their college eligibility. To return to school, they must withdraw by May 28th.

Currently, neither player is projected to be selected in the two-round, 59-pick draft scheduled for June 25–26. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony ranked Oweh at No. 77 in ESPN’s big board, while Lowe was not listed.

Oweh, who averaged 16.2 points and earned All-SEC honors last season, has the better chance to improve his stock but would likely need a strong showing to secure a draft spot.

If he returns, Oweh is expected to be a centerpiece of Mark Pope’s second-year squad. Lowe, a promising young guard, is likely using the process to gather feedback as he prepares for an expanded role at Kentucky.

While both players will weigh their options, they are expected to return to Lexington for the 2025–26 season, which would bring valuable experience and talent to a retooled Kentucky roster.