Otega Oweh, Jasper Johnson Recognized by USBWA
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky guards Otega Oweh and Jasper Johnson each found themselves on preseason watch lists from the United States Basketball Writers Association this week, with Oweh one of 50 preseason candidates for the Oscar Robertson Trophy and Johnson named one of 25 freshmen to watch for the Wayman Tisdale Award.
The Oscar Robertson Trophy is the nation’s oldest award, recognizing the men’s national player of the year since the 1958-59 season. A group of 11 players from the Southeastern Conference occupy the preseason watch list, including Oweh. Oscar Tshiebwe (2022) and Anthony Davis (2012) are both past winners of the honor from Kentucky. At the conclusion of the regular season, the USBWA will name finalists for the award, which is voted on by the entire membership. The winner will be announced at the 2026 Men’s Final Four in Indianapolis.
The Wayman Tisdale Award has been presented to the nation’s top Division I freshman since the 1988-89 season. Three Wildcats have won the award including John Wall (2010), Davis (2012) and Reed Sheppard (2024). Johnson is joined by four other SEC freshmen on the watch list.
Oweh has earned several preseason honors, including being tabbed to the NABC Division I Player of the Year award watch list, the Naismith Trophy watch list and being named the Southeastern Conference Preseason Player of the Year by both the media and the league’s coaches. Oweh has also earned preseason All-America distinction by CBS, Blue Ribbon, The Field of 68 and ESPN’s Jay Bilas. Furthermore, Oweh was named to the preseason watch list for the Jerry West Award, which recognizes the top shooting guard in college basketball.
Oweh led the Cats in scoring at 16.2 points per game last season and began the year by topping double figures in each of the first 26 contests and 33 overall. The native of Newark, New Jersey set career-best marks in points per game, rebounds per game (4.7), assists per game (1.7), steals per game (1.6), blocks per game (0.5) and free-throw percentage (.776). In addition to his offensive prowess, Oweh also led the Cats in steals with 57 on the season.
He was a second-team All-SEC selection and earned NABC All-District First-Team honors as a junior.
Johnson comes to Kentucky with high expectations after a decorated high school career that included a gold medal with Team USA at the 2025 FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup this past summer. A native of Lexington, Johnson began his high school career at Woodford County High School before spending one season apiece at Link Academy and Overtime Elite.
He is a third-generation Wildcat, with his father Dennis having played football at UK and his grandfather, Alvis, having worked eight years in athletics administration at the University.
The freshman scored 11 points, dished out four assists and added a block and a steal in the Wildcats’ season-opening win over Nicholls.
Kentucky returns to the court on Friday, Nov. 7 to face Valparaiso. Game time is set for 7 p.m. inside Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center.
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