The Kentucky Wildcats will have at least two players participating in the 2025 NBA Draft Combine, as guards Otega Oweh and Koby Brea have officially been invited to the showcase, set for May 11–18 in Chicago. The pair headline Kentucky’s representation in what is widely considered the most important pre-draft evaluation event for NBA hopefuls.
Contrasting Journeys to the Same Stage
Though teammates under first-year head coach Mark Pope, Oweh and Brea took very different roads to reach this point.
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Oweh, a dynamic transfer from Oklahoma, evolved into one of Kentucky’s most reliable scoring options this past season. He raised his profile significantly, increasing his scoring average to 16.2 points per game and emerging as a consistent offensive threat. Perhaps most notable was his ability to deliver in high-pressure moments including a 28-point performance against his former team and a 27-point showing capped by a game-winner in the SEC Tournament. His only single-digit scoring outings came in Kentucky’s few defeats, underscoring his value to the team.
While Oweh’s combine invite boosts his draft stock, his future remains undecided. With college eligibility remaining, there is speculation that he may return to Lexington, potentially becoming the focal point of next season’s squad.
Brea, by contrast, enters the combine with no ambiguity. After completing his eligibility, the former Dayton standout is fully committed to the professional ranks. Regarded as one of the most lethal three-point shooters in college basketball, Brea brought perimeter efficiency and veteran poise to Kentucky’s backcourt. His ability to space the floor and contribute on both ends was instrumental in helping Kentucky return to the NCAA Tournament’s second weekend, a feat the program hadn’t achieved since 2019.
Who Missed the Cut
Notably absent from the combine list are Amari Williams, Andrew Carr, Lamont Butler, and Jaland Lowe, a transfer point guard who has committed to Kentucky while also exploring the NBA Draft process. Lowe, along with others, could still receive an invitation through the NBA G League Elite Camp if they perform well enough.
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Among those not invited but likely heading to the pros are Jaxson Robinson, who continues to rehab from a wrist injury, and Andrew Carr, who recently competed at the Portsmouth Invitational but failed to stand out.
As the combine approaches, all eyes will be on Brea and Oweh. Whether it marks the next step in their professional journeys or, in Oweh’s case, a pivotal decision point between the NBA and a return to college, their presence in Chicago is a reflection of Kentucky’s evolving identity under Pope one grounded in development, opportunity, and high-stakes potential.
