Picked 13th in the latest WNBA Draft, Madina Okot from Kenya announced her credentials in emphatic fashion as she helped her new team, Atlanta Dream, to an 87-78 win over the Chicago Sky in a pre-season game at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, last Wednesday.
The girl from Mumias recorded a double-double – 14 points, 11 rebounds, with two blocks for good measure.
Okot’s former coach, Dawn Staley, could not hide his excitement, posting on X: “Big Mama” Okot is that double-double queen still!!! Let’s gooooooo!!”
Atlanta Dream coach Karl Smesko, told local media: “I think she’s a great talent. I think she’s going to be important to us this season. There were a lot of good things and a lot of things to clean up.”
Okot’s next challenge is in Washington DC, where Atlanta Dream will play their next preseason game tonight against the Washington Mystics. The WNBA tips off on Friday with Okot’s Atlanta Dream opening their campaign on Sunday away to the Minnesota Lynx.
UConn Huskies forward Sarah Strong (21) shoots against South Carolina Gamecocks centre Madina Okot (11) in the first half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Centre in April 3, 2026.
“Big Mama”, as Okot is affectionately called in the States, looks to dream more as her basketball star continues to rise.
She played college basketball for the Mississippi State Bulldogs before shifting to the South Carolina Gamecocks.
The 1.98m-tall Okot was in the Kenya team alongside Natalie Akinyi, Mercy Wanyama and Hilda Indasi that won the 2023 Fiba 3x3 African Cup in Cairo.
Her accolades include being named the Most Promising Girl at the Kenyan Sports Personality of the Year Awards in 2022.
Okot was born on August 23, 2004, in Mumias, Kakamega County, in Western Kenya.
Talented in sports, she first started out playing volleyball at Bishop Sulumeti High School in Kakamega.
Her first stab at basketball was in 2020 after she transferred from Bishop Sulumeti to Kaya Tiwi High School in Kwale County.
This was initiated by Kaya Tiwi coach Philip Onyango, who encouraged Madina’s parents to let her play basketball instead of volleyball.
While still a student at Kaya Tiwi, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) picked her to play for them in the national league.
Under coach Onyango’s guidance, Okot began to thrive and develop her basketball skills.
Family members of Madina Okot pose with her jerseys and kit at their home in Mumias, Kakamega County on April 16, 2026. From left: her father Musa Mulah Masayi, mother Jacqueline Nakhumicha, and siblings display memorabilia celebrating her basketball journey.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation
Madina Okot celebrates as the South Carolina Gamecocks secure their place in the NCAA Women’s Final Four for a sixth consecutive year during the 2026 March Madness tournament.
Photo credit: Pool
“I started applying to play basketball in the USA in August 2022. It did not go through. I tried again in 2023, and it did not go through. I tried it again this year, and it did not go through the first time,” the centre told NTV’s SportOn! in 2024.
She says that the first time her visa application was rejected, it did not affect her much because she felt she was still young. “I didn’t feel like it was something special or big, plus I had just begun basketball, so I didn’t feel bad,” Okot told SportOn ! then.
She was denied a visa twice to join Troy University, where national team player Felmas Koranga was a student.
She was denied a US visa a third time as she attempted to join Eastern Michigan University after being linked up by renowned coach Evelyn Kedogo.
“But, after being denied a visa for the second, third and fourth times, I came from the embassy crying. But finally it is here. I’m just happy,” Okot said as her American dream started with Mississippi State University.
