Kentucky might not enter the season as the SEC’s preseason favorite, but the Wildcats boast the league’s top player according to the media. Senior guard Otega Oweh earned the title of SEC Preseason Player of the Year following an impressive debut season in Lexington.
Oweh’s recognition highlights his growing status as one of the most dynamic guards in college basketball. He is one of only two Kentucky players to earn preseason honors, joining Jaland Lowe, who was selected to the All-SEC Third Team. Oweh himself secured a spot on the All-SEC First Team, reaffirming his role as the Wildcats’ on-court leader heading into the season.
In the team projections, Kentucky was picked to finish second in the SEC, just behind the defending national champion Florida Gators. Following the Wildcats in the poll were Tennessee in third place, Alabama in fourth, and Arkansas rounding out the top five setting the stage for another highly competitive SEC campaign.
Last season, Otega Oweh emerged as Kentucky’s go-to scorer, averaging 16.2 points per game to lead the team. He showcased remarkable consistency, reaching double figures in the first 26 games and 33 times overall throughout the year, solidifying himself as one of the SEC’s most reliable offensive threats.
His performance earned him a slot on the All-SEC Second Team, along with National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District First-Team honors, recognizing his impact on both the conference and national levels. Oweh’s combination of scoring ability, leadership, and defensive effort made him a standout performer in his first season in Lexington.
Now entering his senior year, Oweh adds his name to an elite list of Kentucky stars by becoming the seventh Wildcat to be named SEC Preseason Player of the Year since the award’s inception in 1997. No other program in the conference has produced more than three such honorees a testament to Kentucky’s continued legacy of elite talent.
During his sophomore season at Pittsburgh, Jaland Lowe established himself as one of the ACC’s most productive guards, earning Third Team All-ACC honors. He led the Panthers in scoring with 16.8 points per game, while also contributing 4.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per contest showcasing his all-around impact on both ends of the court.
Lowe’s strong play carried into preseason recognition in his new conference, as he was named to the All-SEC Third Team ahead of his first season at Kentucky. He shares the honor with Ole Miss forward Malik Dia, Alabama guard Aden Holloway, Arkansas wing Karter Knox, and D.J. Wagner, forming a talented group of rising SEC stars.
The preseason teams also featured several familiar names for Kentucky fans. On the Second Team, Tennessee’s Nate Ament who once considered the Wildcats joins Florida’s Boogie Fland, a former Kentucky commit now suiting up for the Gators. The mix of returning standouts and high-profile transfers signals another deep and competitive season ahead in the SEC.
First Team All-SEC
Alex Condon – Florida
Josh Hubbard – Mississippi State
Otega Oweh – Kentucky
Tahaad Pettiford – Auburn
Labaron Philon Jr. – Alabama
Second Team All-SEC
Nate Ament – Tennessee
Boogie Fland – Florida
Ja’Kobi Gillespie – Tennessee
Thomas Haugh – Florida
Mark Mitchell – Missouri
Third Team All-SEC
Malik Dia – Ole Miss
Aden Holloway – Alabama
Karter Knox – Arkansas
Jaland Lowe – Kentucky
D.J. Wagner – Arkansas
SEC Player of the Year
Otega Oweh – Kentucky
Predicted Order of Finish
Florida
Kentucky
Tennesseee
Alabama
Arkansas
Auburn
Missouri
Ole Miss
Texas
Mississippi State
Vanderbilt
Oklahoma
Texas A&M
Georgia
LSU
South Carolina
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