“Oh it’s going to be lovely”: Kentucky’s Otega Oweh talks about playing with teammate Mo Dioubate

Kentucky guard Otega Oweh expressed his thoughts and excitement on playing with Alabama transfer teammate Mo Dioubate. The Wildcats added the forward to their roster ahead of the 2025-26 season. Dioubate already made a strong impression, particularly for his elite defensive skills, something Oweh pointed out during an interview on Tuesday.

In an Instagram post from Kentucky Sports Radio, Otega Oweh was seen in a clip talking about the prospect of playing with the former Alabama forward.

“Oh, it’s going to be lovely to play with him,” Oweh said when asked about Dioubate. “I know what he brings. I don’t like playing against him if I’m being honest.”

That was high praise from Oweh, who appeared to have built his reputation as a physical defender. With Mo Dioubate now joining Oweh on the same side of the ball, Oweh was confident that Kentucky was about to take their defense to another level after the sophomore averaged 7.2 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 61.7%.

“I know he is going to have the same effect on other people on other teams,” Oweh added. “And he is a good guy too. He plays defense like me and he is big and able to move his feet regardless of who he is guarding.”

At 6-foot-7 with strength and agility, Dioubate appeared to fit Oweh’s idea of Kentucky’s evolving defensive identity. His ability to guard multiple positions, as Oweh noted, should give coach Mark Pope flexibility.

Mark Pope shares reaction to Otega Oweh returning to Kentucky

The Kentucky Wildcats got a major boost at the NBA draft decision deadline when star guard Otega Oweh announced he would be returning to Lexington for another season. The news not only energized fans but also moved coach Mark Pope, who shared a heartfelt and humorous story about how he found out.

After a camp hosted by Kentucky last weekend, Pope spoke about his reaction on Monday when he received the call from Oweh confirming his return.

“First off, I was on a plane,” Pope said. “And I don't understand why or how but the call actually came through. Otega called me and said, ‘Coach, let’s do this—I’m coming back.’ I was looking around thinking the pilot was about to throw me out of the plane right then. So I said, ‘Otega, I’ve got to call you back later, but just hold that thought.’”

Pope explained that once the plane landed, he called Oweh back.

“He said he was coming back, and tears went down my face,” Pope said.

Oweh, who secured Second Team All-SEC honors last season, is expected to take another big step forward this year. The guard is expected to contend for SEC Player of the Year honors and help guide Kentucky on a deep tournament run.

Oweh’s return is a key factor, as Pope’s reaction indicated. As Kentucky eyes its ninth national championship, Otega Oweh will be expected to take on a larger role.