Kenyan-born Madina Okot picked 13th draft in WNBA

Kenyan international center Madina Okot has been selected 13th overall in the first round of the WNBA Draft by the Atlanta Dream on Monday, April 13, at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City.

Speaking to the media in New York after the draft, the 6-foot-6 center—who began her sporting career in volleyball before transitioning to basketball—reflected on her journey from Zetech College in Kenya to playing college basketball in the United States at Mississippi and University of South Carolina. She said she leaves college as one of the most dominant post players in the game.

“Sometimes I wake up and I’m like, ‘Am I really here?’ Six years ago, I didn’t see myself being here today. My dream was to play in the WNBA, but I didn’t know it would happen this fast,” she said.

Okot, who was denied an NCAA waiver to continue playing college basketball, had no choice but to enter the draft. Her journey has drawn praise from South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, who highlighted her resilience and rapid development.

“Early in her basketball career, Madina made courageous choices not just to pursue the sport, but also to better her life. While her time in Columbia was short, she significantly improved the team,” Staley said.

In her final season, Okot averaged a double-double, posting 12.8 points and an SEC-leading 10.6 rebounds per game. She finished her NCAA career with 22 double-doubles, ranking third nationally, and helped the Gamecocks to a 36–4 record and a Final Four appearance.

Okot’s selection carries historic significance not only for Kenya but also for the South Carolina program, as she becomes the first post player from the school to be picked in the first round since Kamilla Cardoso in 2024—and notably, the first Kenyan international basketball player to play in the WNBA.