logo
Two Wildcats Will Represent Kentucky at 2025 NBA Draft Combine

Two Wildcats Will Represent Kentucky at 2025 NBA Draft Combine

Yahoo03-05-2025

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.
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
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.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

"I know Dennis will not throw a punch. No way" - Phil Jackson was confident Dennis Rodman will never start a fight
"I know Dennis will not throw a punch. No way" - Phil Jackson was confident Dennis Rodman will never start a fight

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

"I know Dennis will not throw a punch. No way" - Phil Jackson was confident Dennis Rodman will never start a fight

"I know Dennis will not throw a punch. No way" - Phil Jackson was confident Dennis Rodman will never start a fight originally appeared on Basketball Network. As a true master in coaching, former Chicago Bulls head coach Phil Jackson took it upon himself to assess what was waiting for his team, especially in the playoffs when the stakes were high. In the 1998 postseason, "The Zen Master" reviewed the performances of the Bulls' next possible opponents and noted the ugly brawl involving the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat. Advertisement In his mind, Phil already anticipated an intense and extremely physical series against either the Knicks or the Heat. Though the Bulls had a bad boy in Dennis Rodman, Jackson was confident that there wouldn't be a fight once the series started. "The Zen Master" knew well that Rodman was a much better player than everybody gave him credit for. With that in mind, Phil was certain "The Worm" would never start a fight. "I'm sitting in my office outside the United Center floor," the legendary coach recalled via ESPN. "It's quiet, and I'm thinking about what lies ahead. We saw how the Sonics and the Jazz came back from big deficits to advance, and we saw the energy the Knicks had when they beat the Heat." "And we know about the fight, but I did not talk about it with the team," Jackson continued. "I want our team to play with full effort, but not thoughtlessly. Dennis Rodman got tangled up with Vlade Divac, but I know Dennis will not throw a punch. No way. He knows what is at stake." Phil could see through Rodman For the better part of his Hall of Fame career, the two-time DPOY unapologetically embraced a rebellious and eccentric persona both on and off the court. Other coaches would surely be bothered and stressed by Dennis' wild antics, but not Coach Jackson. Advertisement For "The Zen Master," he recognized early on that Rodman was just living up to a specific character that greatly enjoyed the spotlight. Despite that, Jackson had always been confident that "The Worm" understood his role in the team, and he never let his teammates down. "It was stepping into character, a personality," Jackson said of Rodman in 2011 via "Finding his character was an influence of Madonna's." "He was a product of their system," the legendary coach added of Rodman. "In Detroit, the mantra was not to back down. He threw Scottie into the seats in '91. He was not a menacing guy, but he needed to be part of something." Related: "Ralph Sampson had all those same skills, but he wasn't permitted to take 3s" - Dominique Wilkins on whether Victor Wembanyama is a unique basketball player Wildly talented Despite being widely known for his wild and larger-than-life personality, Rodman was also a remarkably skilled player. His unpredictable antics have left a lasting impression on fans and teammates alike. Still, his undeniable talent and work ethic truly made "Dennis the Menace" unique. Advertisement Rodman consistently played intensely and at such a high level, particularly in rebounding and playing defense. Moreover, he also had the ability to stay productive in high-pressure and tense situations. Rodman's dedication to his craft showcased his talent and his passion for the game. Apart from Coach Jackson, many fans believe that "The Worm" has truly earned his rightful place in the pantheon of the all-time greats. Related: "We were a short team and didn't want long rebounds" - Phil Jackson on how deflating the ball gave the Bulls an edge This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.

Blockbuster 3-Team NBA Trade Idea Sends Celtics' Jrue Holiday to Mavericks
Blockbuster 3-Team NBA Trade Idea Sends Celtics' Jrue Holiday to Mavericks

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Blockbuster 3-Team NBA Trade Idea Sends Celtics' Jrue Holiday to Mavericks

Blockbuster 3-Team NBA Trade Idea Sends Celtics' Jrue Holiday to Mavericks originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Dallas Mavericks need to acquire a point guard this offseason since Kyrie Irving will miss a chunk of next season recovering from his left ACL tear. Advertisement With that said, Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report proposed a three-team trade idea between the Mavericks, Celtics and Brooklyn Nets that sends Jrue Holiday from Boston to Dallas. According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Mavericks are interested in acquiring Holiday, who will make $32.4 million next season. The Celtics may break up their core this offseason since they will have the most expensive roster in the NBA next season and Jayson Tatum may not play at all in 2025-26 due to his right Achilles tendon tear. Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday© Stephen Lew-Imagn Images A two-time NBA champion, Holiday averaged 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists in the 2024-25 regular season and 10.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists in the 2025 playoffs in seven games against the Orlando Magic and New York Knicks. Advertisement "Holiday is a capable starting point guard," Pincus wrote. "He's not as dynamic as Irving offensively, but he is among the best defenders of his generation. Holiday is also one of the most respected people in the league (winning both the NBA's sportsman and teammate of the year awards this season)." Holiday and Mavericks big man Anthony Davis were teammates on the New Orleans Pelicans. The two All-Stars appeared in 310 games together. Holiday has played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Pelicans, Milwaukee Bucks and Celtics. The UCLA product has career averages of 15.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists. The Mavericks missed the playoffs this year after making the NBA Finals last year. They shockingly traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February. Related: Mavericks Reportedly Eyeing 3 Key Targets Amid Kyrie Irving's Injury Absence This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.

Blockbuster Mavericks Trade Idea Pairs Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving With $220 Million All-Star
Blockbuster Mavericks Trade Idea Pairs Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving With $220 Million All-Star

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Blockbuster Mavericks Trade Idea Pairs Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving With $220 Million All-Star

Blockbuster Mavericks Trade Idea Pairs Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving With $220 Million All-Star originally appeared on Athlon Sports. 2025 has been a wild year for the Dallas Mavericks so far. General manager Nico Harrison traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, Kyrie Irving tore his left ACL and the franchise won the NBA Draft Lottery. Advertisement The Mavericks are widely expected to draft Duke's Cooper Flagg with the first overall pick in this year's draft. If Dallas selects Flagg, the youngster will join Irving, Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson. But what if Harrison wants to trade the No. 1 pick for a win-now player? Nothing can be ruled out. After all, Harrison shocked the sports world in February by trading Doncic. If Harrison wants to trade the first pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Andre Snellings of ESPN proposed that the Mavericks make a deal with the Phoenix Suns. Dallas Mavericks stars Kyrie Irving and Anthony DavisCredit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Snellings, an NBA insider for ESPN, proposed the following trade idea between Dallas and Phoenix: Advertisement Dallas Mavericks get: Devin Booker, 2025 first-rounder (No. 29), 2028 first-rounder (least favorable of own, Knicks and Wizards), 2029 first-round pick swap (least favorable of Cavs, Timberwolves and Jazz) Phoenix Suns get: 2025 No. 1 pick, Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall and Caleb Martin This trade idea would pair Davis and Irving with Booker, who signed a four-year, $220 million extension with the Suns in 2022. Booker will make $53.1 million next season. Davis and Booker were teammates on Team USA last summer. The two stars helped the United States win the gold medal. A four-time All-Star, Booker appeared in 75 games for the Suns this season. He averaged 25.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.1 assists while shooting 46.1% from the field, 33.2% from 3 and 89.4% from the foul line. Advertisement The 28-year-old Booker has career averages of 24.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists. He scored 70 points against the Boston Celtics during the 2016-17 season. Related: Blockbuster 3-Team NBA Trade Idea Sends Celtics' Jrue Holiday to Mavericks This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store