It’s rare for a team to poach a key player from within its own conference — and even more unlikely to lure one away from the reigning national champions. So when Mark Pope and Kentucky landed senior guard Denzel Aberdeen after three seasons at Florida, his former SEC foe turned teammate Otega Oweh — along with Big Blue Nation — was buzzing with excitement over the possibilities ahead.

While most projections have Aberdeen slotted into the two-guard spot in Kentucky’s starting lineup, Oweh believes his versatility could make an even greater impact, particularly at point guard.

“He’s fresh off of a ring. He’s a solid PG,” Oweh said. “You know he’s going to bring that calmness to our group.”

The 6-foot-5, 190-pound Aberdeen steadily improved each year of his college career, raising his scoring average from 1.6 points per game in 2022-23 to 3.3 in 2023-24, and finishing last season with 7.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. He shot 41.8% from the field and 35% from beyond the arc while helping Florida win a national championship.

When a player transfers out of a program, the reaction from that school’s fan base can speak volumes. In Aberdeen’s case, many Florida fans were visibly upset about losing him — especially to a conference rival like Kentucky.

They knew just how dangerous he could be when paired with a certain wing returning to the Wildcats. Regardless of where Aberdeen lines up in the backcourt next season, his combination with Oweh has the potential to become one of the most explosive duos in the country.

With his triumphant, last-second return to Lexington for a second and final season in the blue and white, last year’s breakout star Otega Oweh essentially tied a bow on the army knife that is Kentucky’s incoming roster. 

And while the talent coming in from all sides is full of athletes weathered in their own ways, Oweh, having already played under the big blue lights, looks to step into a leadership role.

“I’m definitely going to have to be one of the leaders, for sure,” he said. “…I’m going to do it in my own way. Being vocal, but also a little intense. I feel like that’s kind of my thing.”

Oweh became a fan favorite Wildcat this year for a multitude of reasons, the least of which weren’t his game-winning buckets and highlight slams that seemed to occur on a regular basis.

But beyond the stuff that made it on SportsCenter, Oweh carried much of the team’s energy when he was on the floor. The game seemed to move through him on both ends; a ball of momentum that, at times, made or broke the result of a match.

While last year’s magical run came up short, Oweh, like his head coach, has his sights set on a banner this fall.

“We have a lot of guys who could get big accolades this year… so I feel like, with that, comes a national championship. If we win the natty, everyone is going to get what they want. If we win, everyone wins.”

As Kentucky’s star returner, and a potential early favorite for SEC Player of the Year, Otega Oweh carries the weight of Rupp Arena on his shoulders.

But not only is he up for the challenge, he seems to embrace it. Coming back as the presumed best guy on the floor means not only meeting expectations, but exceeding them.

The most passionate fanbase in college basketball looks on as #00 leads the charge towards one of the most promising, exciting seasons Lexington has seen in years.

“It really felt like we had unfinished business,” said Oweh. A long awaited ninth banner hangs in the balance as Mark Pope, Otega Oweh, and the Kentucky Wildcats gear up for the 2025-26 season.

Before his decision to transfer to Ole Miss, Travis Perry had long been considered one of Kentucky’s most iconic high school basketball players.

“I was devastated when Travis left,” Mark Pope told reporters. “I think he was on his way to becoming a legend here at Kentucky.”

As a junior at Lyon County High School in Eddyville, Kentucky, Perry broke the state’s all-time scoring record, eventually reaching 5,481 career points, a milestone that was just the beginning of his growing legacy.

He capped his historic high school résumé in 2024 by leading Lyon County to a state championship, earning Sweet 16 MVP honors, being named Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball and claiming his second Gatorade Kentucky Player of the Year award, solidifying his place among the greats to come out of the Bluegrass State.

As a freshman for the Wildcats, Perry took on a limited role, primarily serving as a shooter off the bench. Eventually, he decided he wanted something for his game that Kentucky wasn’t offering.

“Whenever I got in the portal, I felt that Coach Beard’s vision for me was exactly what I was looking for,” Perry said in his first media appearance as a Rebel.

Perry emphasized that one of the main reasons for choosing Oxford was the opportunity to grow beyond the label of a pure shooter, something he felt had limited him at Kentucky.

In his lone season as a Wildcat, Perry averaged 2.7 points, 0.8 rebounds and 0.6 assists in 9.8 minutes per game, and despite shooting efficiently, he rarely had plays run for him.

“Travis and I share a vision for his game that he’s much more than a shooter. He’s a guy who can play multiple positions,” Rebels head coach Chris Beard said.

For one of Kentucky’s most accomplished high school players, the move to Oxford is less about leaving home and more about finding the right fit to unlock his full potential.

With a fresh opportunity under Coach Beard, he’s focused on expanding his game, helping the team win and proving he’s more than just a shooter off the bench.