Kentucky’s Otega Oweh Rejects Potential Transfer to Duke: “I Bleed Blue, Just Not That Blue”
By ESPN Staff Writer
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky star guard Otega Oweh has put an emphatic end to swirling rumors about a potential high-profile transfer to Duke, telling reporters Monday that his loyalty to the Wildcats is “non-negotiable.”
“I bleed blue,” Oweh said following practice at the Joe Craft Center. “Just not that blue.”
Sources confirmed to ESPN that informal discussions had taken place between representatives close to Duke and Kentucky about a potential player movement scenario—one that would have brought Oweh to Durham in exchange for a pair of prospects and a sizable NIL incentive backed by multiple Duke-affiliated brands.
But Oweh made his stance clear: he’s staying in Lexington.
“There’s no jersey I’d rather wear. There’s no fanbase I’d rather go to battle for,” he said. “Coach Pope gave me a real shot here, and I’m not walking away from that just because a few dollar signs showed up in a group chat.”
The 6-foot-5 junior has been a breakout star for the Wildcats this season, averaging 17.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3 assists per game while emerging as a vocal leader for a resurgent Kentucky team under new head coach Mark Pope. Oweh transferred from Oklahoma and quickly became a centerpiece of Kentucky’s identity on both ends of the floor.
Social media erupted this weekend after whispers of a possible “blockbuster” player move circulated across college basketball circles. Although such trades are not officially permitted by the NCAA, the era of NIL and player freedom has opened the door for coordinated transfers in which players, agents, and collectives facilitate de facto swaps between programs.
Despite the speculation, Oweh’s decision was swift—and definitive.
“I didn’t come here to jump ship when things got interesting,” he said. “I came here to win. I came here for banners, not buzz.”
Coach Mark Pope did not directly address the Duke rumors but praised Oweh’s commitment.
“Otega’s passion, his loyalty—it’s exactly what we want this program to be about,” Pope said. “He’s got that edge that elevates everyone in the locker room.”
The Kentucky–Duke rivalry, although not an annual fixture, is one of the most electric in college basketball, intensified by historic NCAA Tournament clashes and years of recruiting battles. A move by Oweh to Duke would have only added fuel to that fire—but instead, his rejection of the Blue Devils has only deepened his legend in Lexington.
“He just stamped his name in Kentucky lore,” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter). “This is what being a Wildcat is all about.”
With the Wildcats pushing toward a top seed in the NCAA Tournament, Oweh’s focus remains locked in on the mission ahead.
“We’ve got goals. We’ve got banners to chase. And I’m doing it in Kentucky blue,” Oweh said. “End of story.”