Madina Okot’s rise to the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) reached a defining breakthrough after she was selected 13th overall in the first round of the 2026 WNBA Draft by the Atlanta Dream.
The Kenyan centre, who starred for the South Carolina Gamecocks, entered the draft as one of the most highly regarded international prospects following a dominant 2025/26 collegiate season.
Okot averaged 12.8 points, 10.6 rebounds per game, shot 57.5 percent from the field and 44.8 percent from three-point range, while recording 22 double-doubles, tying for the most among Power Conference players. Her consistent performances and versatility made her one of the standout frontcourt players in college basketball.
Born on August 23, 2004, in Mumias, Kenya, Okot is the fifth-born in a family of eight to parents Jacquiline Sikuku and Musa Mulah Masai. Her siblings include brothers Abdalah Mukoya, Issa Mullah, and Haji Mulah, and sisters Azina Mulah, Waida Nechesa, Sheilah Nafula, and Zainab Zelfah.
Okot’s journey to basketball prominence began in Kakamega County, where she initially played volleyball at Bishop Sulumeti High School.
Her athletic path changed when she joined Kaya Tiwi Secondary School, where she switched to basketball under the guidance of coach Philip Onyango. The move proved pivotal, setting her on a trajectory that would eventually lead to the global stage.
In January 2023, Okot joined Zetech University to pursue a Diploma in Education, Business Administration and Management (General), completing her studies in August 2024. Her academic and athletic balance reflected the discipline that has defined her career.
Her selection by the Atlanta Dream instantly positioned her as a high-value interior addition for a franchise continuing to reshape its roster around young, high-upside talent. The Dream announced the pick with a simple message on social media: “Welcome to Atlanta @okotmadina!”
Okot’s draft night drew immediate attention across the league.
WNBA star Angel Reese amplified the moment, calling her a “walking double-double” and celebrating her arrival with the message, “ROOK! Another walking double-double! Let’s go!” The endorsement underscored expectations that Okot will bring immediate rebounding impact and physical presence at the professional level.
By being drafted, Okot became the first Kenyan woman to officially reach and play in the WNBA, following in the footsteps of Josephine Owino, who was drafted in 2009 by the Washington Mystics but did not make the final roster.
Her achievement marks a historic milestone for Kenyan basketball and a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes across Africa.
Okot’s rise through the U.S. college basketball ranks, featuring stints with Mississippi State and later the South Carolina Gamecocks, has made her one of the most closely followed Kenyan basketball exports in recent years.
