Who is Madina Okot? Kenyan drafted into WNBA Atlanta Dream

Kenyan basketball sensation Madina Okot in action at past international events. /KNA

Madina Okot has made history as the first Kenyan player selected to feature in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) after being drafted by the Atlanta Dream.

The milestone places her among the newest additions to one of the world’s most competitive women’s basketball leagues, which features 12 elite teams.

Okot, born in Mumias in western Kenya, is a centre standing at 6’6” and is known for her strong interior presence, rebounding ability, and growing offensive versatility.

She began her basketball journey in 2020, first playing at Zetech University in Kenya before moving to the United States to pursue higher-level competition.

Her college career saw her feature for the Mississippi State Bulldogs for two seasons before transferring to the University of South Carolina, where she continued her rapid development.

At South Carolina, she averaged 10.6 rebounds and 12.8 points while shooting 57.5 per cent from the floor, establishing herself as one of the most efficient frontcourt players in the programme.

She was also part of the South Carolina Gamecocks squad that reached the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship final, competing at the highest level of collegiate basketball in the United States.

Her rise culminated in her selection in the first round of the WNBA Draft as the 13th overall pick by the Atlanta Dream.

The WNBA Draft is an annual event held in April, where teams select new talent—mainly college players and international prospects—to strengthen their rosters ahead of the season, which typically runs from May to September and ends with the playoffs.

Draft positioning is based on the inverse order of the previous season’s standings, with teams selecting players to fit specific needs based on factors such as size, versatility, shooting, passing, and defensive balance in the league’s fast-paced four 10-minute quarter format.

Okot will wear jersey number 26  for the Atlanta Dream. The jersey has already been made available for sale.

She joins a 2026 draft class shaped by a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that significantly raised the salary cap to $7 million per team, resulting in improved rookie contracts and overall player earnings.

Under the revised structure, rookie minimum salaries have increased sharply. Players who make WNBA rosters now earn over $270,000 (about Sh34.8 million) annually in their first season, compared to approximately $67,000 (Sh8.6 million) in previous seasons.

Top picks earn more, with the first overall selection taking home about $500,000 (Sh64.5 million). At pick number 13, Okot’s contract is valued at approximately $289,133 (Sh37.3 million) for her rookie year.

The Atlanta Dream also drafted two other players to strengthen multiple areas of their roster, selecting Indya Nivar (guard, North Carolina) with the 28th overall pick and Kejia Ran (guard, CBA Beijing) with the 43rd pick.

Nivar is expected to add defensive versatility and playmaking depth, while Ran brings international experience and backcourt support.

These additions complement a core featuring Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, and Angel Reese, as the franchise looks to compete more strongly against top contenders such as the Las Vegas Aces.

Okot’s selection has drawn attention beyond the court. CNN International Correspondent Larry Madowo called on Kenyans to rally behind her achievement online, urging fans to engage with the Atlanta Dream’s social media platforms in support of the trailblazing athlete.

“Kuna shughuli inahitaji mbogi, juu ya Madina Okot, msichana wa Mumias kuingia WNBA. Endeni kwa page ya Atlanta Dream – Facebook, TikTok, kila mahali mlike, mcheze kama nyinyi ndio ajue anapendwa,” he said.

(There’s a mission that needs people, because of Madina Okot, the girl from Mumias, getting into the WNBA. Go to the Atlanta Dream pages on Facebook, TikTok, everywhere—like and hype it up so they know she's loved.

Okot herself has spoken emotionally about her journey and the speed of her rise in the sport. Reflecting on her progress, she said she often struggles to fully grasp how far she has come.

“I honestly didn’t see myself being here today six years ago. I had to act like I was behind, and I had to be obsessed with details, putting in extra work and just being able to ask questions and learn from experienced players that were around me,” she said.

In a previous recent interview, she described her experience as surreal and deeply emotional, noting how gratitude drives her daily mindset.

“Sometimes I wake up, and I’m like, ‘Am I really here?’ I’m just so grateful. Every day I wake up, I feel like it’s a great opportunity to get what I once dreamt about. I’m here. It’s just something to be grateful for.”

Okot’s journey from a late start in basketball in 2020 to becoming a WNBA draftee underscores her rapid development, resilience, and adaptability.

Her combination of rebounding strength, interior dominance, and improving perimeter skill set has made her one of the most versatile bigs in this year’s draft class and one of the best basketball talents to watch globally.