Kenya’s basketball sensation Madina Okot has made history after being selected 13th overall in the first round of the 2026 Women’s National Basketball Association (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 center’s rise to professional basketball has been both rapid and remarkable.
Okot only began playing the sport six years ago, initially growing up with a background in volleyball before making the switch to basketball as a teenager.
Her natural athletic ability quickly set her apart, and by the age of 17, she was already representing Kenya in 3-on-3 basketball before continuing her development at Zetech University.
She eventually moved to the United States to pursue higher levels of competition.
Her pathway included playing one season at Mississippi State during the 2024–25 campaign before transferring to the University of South Carolina. In her final college season, Okot emerged as a dominant force in the paint.
She averaged 12.8 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, led the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in rebounding, shot an efficient 57.5 percent from the field, and recorded 22 double-doubles—placing her among the top performers nationally.
Her path to the draft was never a smooth one. According to reports, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) denied her an additional year of eligibility, forcing her to declare for the WNBA Draft sooner than expected.
Despite the setback, Okot embraced the moment, reflecting on a whirlwind period that included competing in the NCAA tournament, reaching a national championship game and preparing for the biggest night of her young career.
Speaking after being drafted, Okot described the experience as emotional and overwhelming, noting how quickly her life had changed in just a matter of weeks.
“This is for all of us. I am carrying our flag to the next level with pride. We belong to any stage,” said Madina.
From playing in her first NCAA championship game to stepping onto the WNBA stage, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity and pride in reaching a dream she once thought was far away.
“Sometimes I wake up and I’m like, ‘Am I really here?'” Okot told reporters following her selection. “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 was going to be this fast.”
In Atlanta, Okot joins a formidable frontcourt that includes star forward Angel Reese. She will also reunite with former Gamecock teammates Allisha Gray and Te-Hina Paopao.
For Kenya, her selection represents a new era of global visibility for the nation’s diverse talent.
