President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto have met Kenyan-born basketball star Madina Okot during an emotional WNBA moment in New York.
The two were at Barclays Center in Brooklyn to watch Okot’s Atlanta Dream take on the New York Liberty, with the President taking time to meet the 22-year-old rookie after the game.
Atlanta secured an 83-65 victory, with Okot making a brief appearance as the Dream sealed their place among the top four teams heading into the WNBA playoffs.
For Okot, the occasion marked another remarkable chapter in a journey that began thousands of kilometres away from the bright lights of the WNBA.
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From Mumias To The WNBA
Born in Mumias, Kenya, Okot did not initially set out on a path towards becoming a professional basketball player. She grew up playing volleyball and only picked up basketball at the age of 16.
Her talent quickly became difficult to ignore.
Standing at 6-foot-6, Okot developed into a dominant center and represented Kenya in international 3x3 basketball before moving to the United States for college basketball.
She first played for Mississippi State, where she averaged 11.3 points and 9.6 rebounds during the 2024-25 season. She then transferred to South Carolina, where she took her game to another level.
During the 2025-26 season, Okot averaged 12.8 points and an SEC-best 10.6 rebounds per game, recording 22 double-doubles. Her performances helped South Carolina reach the national championship game.
Making Kenyan History
Her impressive college career culminated in April 2026 when the Atlanta Dream selected her 13th overall in the WNBA Draft.
That selection made Okot the first Kenyan woman to be drafted in the top 15 of the WNBA Draft, turning her into a trailblazer for young Kenyan girls dreaming of making it in basketball.
Meeting President Ruto and Rachel Ruto in New York therefore came at a significant point in her debut professional season.
Okot later described the President’s presence as a great honour, expressing hope that the support would create more opportunities for girls pursuing sports in Kenya.
From picking up basketball at 16 in Kenya to becoming a WNBA first-round pick, Okot’s journey has now placed her among Kenya’s most notable names on the global basketball stage.
