Kenya’s basketball star Madina Okot, who plies her trade at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, USA, faces a tough decision: whether to continue in NCAA Division I basketball or declare for the WNBA — the premier professional women’s basketball league in the United States.
On Sunday, April 5, South Carolina lost 79–51 to UCLA in the NCAA women’s basketball title game at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The match could mark the 21-year-old’s final college appearance, as she was expected to make a decision within 48 hours of the game on whether to navigate a complex college eligibility path or turn professional.
Michael Sauls, The State’s South Carolina women’s basketball reporter, wrote on the university’s website that Okot’s future with the team remains uncertain, noting there is a possibility the senior forward could return for another season under coach Dawn Staley.
“For that to happen, South Carolina will need to obtain a waiver from the NCAA for a fifth year of eligibility. In November, Staley made it known that she intended to pursue an extra year for Okot,” Sauls noted.
Okot, a senior (final year of college in the USA), could see Staley push for a fifth year, which would be her second season at South Carolina.
“I think our compliance team is doing a great job. It’s just about keeping the lines of communication open. The NCAA always asks for more and more information. Madina is complying by providing the required details. Hopefully, they’ll have an answer soon,” Staley said on Sunday.
A native of Mumias in Kakamega County, Okot began her high school education at Bishop Sulumeti Girls High School in Lugari, where she initially played volleyball. She was later spotted by former national junior basketball head coach Philip Onyango, who recruited her to Kaya Tiwi Secondary School in Kwale County, where she transitioned into basketball. She later joined Zetech College under their basketball program.
Okot represented Kenya at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the 3×3 basketball team. She also won the Kenya Basketball Federation Women’s Premier League with Kenya Ports Authority before moving to Mississippi State University for her junior year, and later transferring to South Carolina for her senior year.
NCAA rules typically limit athletes to four years of college sports, which could complicate Okot’s case due to her two years at Zetech. If coach Staley’s waiver request is unsuccessful, Okot’s remaining option would be to turn professional by declaring for the WNBA Draft on April 13 — a decision she was expected to make within 48 hours of her last game.
Sauls further noted that the NCAA waiver process can be complex, as South Carolina would need to demonstrate that Okot’s playing time in Kenya should not count toward her eligibility clock at the University of South Carolina.
He cited the case of Trinidad Chambliss, whose waiver was initially denied by the NCAA but later overturned in court, granting him an additional year of eligibility.
Although Okot has remained silent on her situation, the NCAA timeline remains tight, leaving the WNBA as a strong option for the 3×3 Africa Cup MVP, which she won in Lomé, Togo.