"Shines brightest when the lights are on": Kentucky standout Otega Oweh's mom, Tania gushes over son's competitive nature following return to Wildcats

Last week, Otega Oweh announced he would return to Kentucky for his senior year, withdrawing his name from the NBA draft. Oweh, who led the Wildcats in scoring last season with 16.2 points per game, participated in the draft combine in Chicago and even worked out for several NBA teams, but ultimately decided to return to Lexington for another year.

Oweh’s mother, Tania Oweh, knows what is best for her son. She told Kentucky Sports Radio in an article published Thursday that the junior guard returned to school after receiving feedback from NBA teams to improve his stock to be a potential first-round pick in next year's draft.

During the conversation, Tania also looked back on her son's college journey, one that started at Oklahoma before eventually landing him in Lexington.

"Otega has always been that kid that when you put him in a situation, he shines brightest when the lights are on," she said, per On3. "Whatever platform that is, he will show up.

"But there’s also — we all know that you have to love the one you’re with. It’s who recruits you, the best opportunity that you go with at the time. The option he chose was Oklahoma, but at some point (in the portal), Kentucky came knocking at the door."

Otega Oweh played two seasons at Oklahoma under Porter Moser. He averaged 11.4 points and 3.8 rebounds during his sophomore season in Norman. He transferred to Kentucky last offseason, where he immediately became a key player for coach Mark Pope.

Otega Oweh's mom Tania sees the determination fueling his comeback journey

According to ESPN's latest NBA mock draft, Otega Oweh was not projected to be selected in the two-round draft. So, the best route for the New Jersey native was to return to Kentucky and improve his game.

"I want to try and up my stock even more, and put myself in a position to win a national championship with all the possible accolades that come with that," he told ESPN after announcing his return.

Tania fully supports her son's goals. Speaking with KSR, she revealed that Oweh did not want to miss any training time this summer, so he opted not to visit Nigeria, where his brother Odafe runs a youth football camp.

"Otega Oweh told me — he said, 'Mom, I’ve got to go back (to Kentucky). Every single day is very important, I can’t take one single day off,'" Tania said. "That’s the drive he has. There’s a sparkle in his eye."

Oweh will be a key veteran for Mark Pope, who is revamping the Wildcats' roster.