We Need Your Hearts, We Need Your Voices” – Mark Pope Makes Heartfelt Plea to Kentucky Fans to Help Keep Otega Oweh in Lexington.
LEXINGTON, Ky. – New Kentucky head coach Mark Pope made an emotional plea to Big Blue Nation this week, urging fans to rally behind sophomore transfer Otega Oweh as the Wildcats work to keep the dynamic guard in Lexington.
During a live interview Thursday evening, Pope addressed rumors that Oweh, who transferred from Oklahoma and recently entered the transfer portal again, might be reconsidering his commitment to Kentucky amid aggressive recruiting from other programs.
“We need your hearts, we need your voices,” Pope said passionately. “This is a moment for Big Blue Nation to show what makes us different. We’re not just a fanbase. We’re a family.”
Oweh, a 6-foot-5 guard known for his athleticism and defensive tenacity, was a key early addition to Pope’s roster rebuild. He averaged 11.4 points and 3.8 rebounds last season with the Sooners and was expected to play a major role in Kentucky’s up-tempo system.
Pope’s comments come at a critical time, as he attempts to stabilize a roster that has seen significant turnover following John Calipari’s departure. Retaining Oweh would be a major win for Pope in his first few months at the helm.
“I believe in Otega, and I believe he belongs here,” Pope continued. “But he needs to feel that love from all of us—from every corner of the Commonwealth.”
The Kentucky basketball community responded quickly, with fans taking to social media to flood Oweh with messages of support and encouragement.
As Pope reshapes the future of UK basketball, this moment underscores how vital fan engagement can be in today’s transfer-driven landscape—and just how far a unified fanbase can go in helping shape a team’s destiny.
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