LEXINGTON, KY — In a groundbreaking act of compassion and leadership, University of Kentucky basketball star Otega Oweh has pledged $13.6 million of his personal NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) earnings to convert a historic mansion in downtown Lexington into a state-of-the-art shelter for homeless youth. The announcement, which stunned fans and civic leaders alike, came just days after Oweh witnessed a gut-wrenching scene that changed his life.
Following a home victory against LSU at Rupp Arena, Oweh exited the building to find a young boy no older than twelve huddled under a thin blanket beside a bus bench, shivering in the cold. Next to him sat his teenage sister, cradling a backpack as if it were a lifeline. No parents, no security, just silence and cold wind.
“I couldn’t sleep that night,” Oweh told reporters at a press conference Thursday. “I kept seeing their faces. Kids, like my younger cousins, alone in a world that forgot them. That’s when I knew I had to do something.”
Within 48 hours, Oweh had partnered with city officials, local architects, and youth advocacy groups to purchase and renovate the 20,000-square-foot Hargrave Estate, an iconic but long-abandoned mansion built in 1904. The building will now be reborn as “The Lighthouse,” a transitional living center designed to provide safety, education, and hope for homeless and at-risk youth ages 12–18.
The facility, set to open in fall 2025, will offer 50 beds, 24-hour counseling services, full-time educators, and job training programs in partnership with the University of Kentucky and several local businesses. The basement will be transformed into a rec center complete with a basketball court—Oweh’s personal touch—while the upper floors will house therapy rooms, classrooms, and dormitories.
“Otega’s vision is not just generous—it’s transformative,” said Mayor Linda Gorton. “He’s turning his platform into a purpose, and he’s challenging us all to think about what more we can do.”
Oweh, a rising junior guard known for his tenacity on the court, is also majoring in sociology. His passion for social justice has become increasingly visible over the past year, with multiple community service appearances and youth mentorship programs across Kentucky.
“I want this to be more than a shelter,” Oweh said. “I want it to be a springboard. A place where kids get a second chance to dream, to feel safe, to believe that they matter.”
Already, national charities and donors are lining up to support The Lighthouse. LeBron James, who has his own “I PROMISE” school in Akron, called Oweh personally to commend him. “You’re building legacy beyond the game,” James reportedly told him.
For Oweh, though, the mission is deeply personal. “This is for every kid I couldn’t help when I was younger, for every child that’s been told they don’t matter. We see you. We’re here for you. And we’re not going anywhere.”
With a heart as strong as his game, Otega Oweh may be redefining what it means to be a student-athlete in America.
