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Former NBA player shares advice to Otega Oweh: ‘Go back and get the money’

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Barkley Truax | Last updated May 16, 2025 1:25 AM ET

College basketball players have until May 28 to withdraw from the 2025 NBA Draft and retain their college eligibility. Kentucky star Otega Oweh is one who is facing that decision as he goes through the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago this week.

Oweh was the Wildcats’ leading scorer during the 2024-25 season, and Big Blue Nation has been holding their breath as he showcases his talents to pro scouts. Mark Pope’s roster is nearly complete, and many feel as though Oweh can be the centerpiece of that group. Cory Alexander, a former NBA player, now ESPN analyst, is a strong believer that Oweh needs to head back to Lexington for his senior year.

“Go back [to school] and get the money, because you can come back and do this exact same thing next year,” Alexander said during the ESPN broadcast of the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. “But you also have the opportunity to go back and have a great year at Kentucky. Come to the Combine next year and not have to play, simply because you’ve proven to NBA executives that you’re a guy that they’re going to take in the first round.”

Former NBA player Cory Alexander advising Otega Oweh’s decision:

“It’s Easy. Go back and get the money.. have the opportunity to go back and have a great year at Kentucky and come back to the combine next year and not have to play, while gaining that $3 million..@KentuckyMBB pic.twitter.com/mPod5vdM67
— TWonder (@TWonderD) May 15, 2025

Oweh is not expected to be a first-round draft pick if he decides to keep his name in the draft. According to ESPN, he ranks as the No. 77 overall prospect on their top 100 big board.

To Alexander’s point — if Oweh returns to Lexington he would likely receive a lucrative NIL package. While that figure will be an undisclosed amount, a player of his caliber won’t come cheap in the SEC.

After all, he averaged 16.2 points per game on a 49.2 percent clip as the Wildcats leading scorer last season. Oweh would eventually score in double figures during the first 13 games to start SEC play for the Wildcats and was a major contributor during Kentucky’s run to the Sweet 16 during the NCAA Tournament earlier this year.

“I don’t think these young people understand how difficult it is to make a million dollars, and from someone who, in their lifetime, has made a million dollars, I can tell them, it is difficult to do even at the NBA level,” Alexander continued. “It’s an easy decision for me — go back to school unless you are an absolute, guaranteed first-rounder.

“And for the record, in conversations with one of these young players … The last pick of the first round is around $2 million. Many of these guys will see more than that by going back to college.”

Regardless of the financial downside of turning pro early, the Kentucky standout believes he’ll find himself in a “great situation” wherever he may land. Whether that’s in Lexington, the NBA will be answered by May 28.

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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