Here’s the latest on Caleb Holt and his bold comparison to Otega Oweh:
📣 Holt’s Confidence Statement
Caleb Holt—a 5-star, No. 3–No. 7 overall recruit in the 2026 class—is drawing major attention for stating he sees himself as a “better Otega Oweh.” In interviews at the adidas 3SSB circuit, he praised Oweh’s scoring versatility—“three‑level scorer” who can hit threes, midrange, finish at the rim, and has size—and said he models his game after him.
🏀 Who Is Caleb Holt?
- A 6′‐6″ shooting guard from Prolific Prep in Fort Lauderdale (formerly Buckhorn and Grayson HS), he boasts U.S. youth national team success (U16, U17, U19).
- On the AAU/adidas circuit, he’s emerged as a scoring machine—16 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST in recent games—catching the eyes of elite programs like Kentucky .
- Ranked top‑5 nationally by 247Sports, On3, and ESPN, with offers from bluebloods like Duke, Kansas, Alabama, Auburn—and Kentucky stepped in early .
🐱 Kentucky on His Radar
- Holt’s scheduled an official visit to Kentucky (Sept 5–7), citing his chemistry with Coach Mark Pope—“Coach Pope was my on‑court coach at USA [camp]… it was fun… that’s how it’s gonna be at Kentucky”.
- Kentucky offered him in July 2024 and markets him as a potential program cornerstone .
🔁 Who Is Otega Oweh?
- A 6′‑5″ guard who transferred from Oklahoma and starred for Kentucky in 2024–25, averaging ~16 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.6 SPG, earning second-team All‑SEC.
- Returnee for 2025–26, praised for his explosiveness, defense, and clutch play—including a 28‑point game at Oklahoma.
🔥 Confidence, Disrespect, or Just Facts?
Fans are split:
- Confidence: Holt’s ambition is understandable. He’s surveying the game from a similar position—long, multi‑level scorer, strong on defense—and believes his ceiling may exceed Oweh’s early career.
- Disrespect?: Some see it as premature hype—Oweh has already proven on the big stage; Holt still has to perform at the college level.
- Just facts: If Holt’s trajectory continues—dominant AAU play, elite youth international pedigree—he could become a comparable or superior talent before his college career even starts.
🏛️ Could Holt Be the Next Big Thing at Kentucky?
With Kentucky locked in on both Oweh’s return and Holt’s recruitment, they’re strategically covering now and the future:
- Oweh offers veteran leadership and proven production for 2025–26 .
- Holt offers long-term upside: if he enrolls in 2026 and lives up to his billing, he’ll be a future cornerstone under Pope’s system .
📝 Bottom Line
- Holt’s statement is bold, but grounded in a shared skill set and his own elite performances.
- Oweh’s proven track record sets the benchmark in Lexington.
- If Holt stays on his path, he could very well become “the next Oweh”—or, in his words, a better one.
Fans should watch his development closely, but early signs suggest he’s far more hype than hot air.
