April 14, 2026 — Kenya’s Madina Okot has made sporting history after being selected 13th overall in the first round of the WNBA Draft by the Atlanta Dream, becoming the first Kenyan player ever to be picked in the opening round of the league’s annual talent selection.
Born in Mumias, Kenya, the 6-foot-6 centre’s rise to professional basketball has been rapid and remarkable. Okot only begins playing the sport six years ago, having initially grown up playing volleyball before switching to basketball as a teenager.
Her athletic ability quickly sets her apart, and by the age of 17, she is already representing Kenya in 3-on-3 basketball before continuing her development at Zetech University.
She later moves to the United States to pursue higher levels of competition, playing one season at Mississippi State University during the 2024–25 campaign before transferring to the University of South Carolina.
In her final college season, Okot emerges as a dominant force. She averages 12.8 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, leads the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in rebounding, shoots 57.5 percent from the field, and records 22 double-doubles—ranking among the top performers nationally.
Her journey to the draft is not without challenges. Reports indicate that the National Collegiate Athletic Association denies her an additional year of eligibility, forcing her to declare for the draft earlier than expected.
Despite the setback, Okot embraces the opportunity. She describes the experience as emotional, coming after a short but intense period that includes competing in the NCAA tournament, reaching a national championship game, and preparing for the biggest moment of her career.
From playing in her first NCAA final to stepping onto the WNBA stage, Okot says she is proud to achieve a dream she once considered far out of reach, marking a historic milestone for Kenyan basketball.