Thunder rookie Otega Oweh has undergone surgery to address a ruptured right Achilles tendon, the team announced today in a press release. The procedure was performed in New York by Dr. Martin O’Malley with Thunder medical personnel present, per the club.

Oweh suffered the injury during overtime of Oklahoma City’s preseason game against the Pacers on Tuesday. He was helped to the locker room and was unable to put weight on his right foot.

The Thunder announced that the 23-year-old from New Jersey will miss the entirety of his rookie year as he recovers from the Achilles tear, making him the latest Oklahoma City draftee who will sit out his first NBA season due to a major injury. Nikola Topic and Thomas Sorber did so in 2024/25 and ’25/26, respectively, due to ACL tears.

A 6’4″ guard who was drafted 41st overall this June, Oweh played his final two collegiate seasons at Kentucky, where he averaged 18.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game as a senior and hit one of the most memorable buzzer-beaters in this year’s NCAA tournament. He appeared in four preseason contests for the Thunder and averaged 6.8 PPG and 5.0 RPG in 23.4 MPG.

Oweh is currently occupying one of Oklahoma City’s two-way slots, alongside Josh Dix and Brooks Barnhizer. If the Thunder opt to hang onto him for the entire season despite the injury, he would be eligible for restricted free agency next summer.