Madina Okot’s Game-Changing Move to South Carolina: A New Chapter for Kenya’s Basketball Sensation

Kenyan basketball sensation Madina Okot has transferred from Mississippi State University to the University of South Carolina, joining the powerhouse Gamecocks for the 2025-26 season. The 6-foot-6 centre’s move to South Carolina marks a pivotal moment in her career, aligning her with one of the NCAA’s elite programs and bolstering her path toward potentially becoming Kenya’s second-ever WNBA player. With her towering presence, international experience, and standout performances, Okot’s transfer is a strategic step forward, both for her development and for South Carolina’s championship aspirations.

A Strategic Move to a National Powerhouse

Okot’s decision to join South Carolina is a masterstroke for her career trajectory. The Gamecocks, under the legendary Dawn Staley, are a perennial force in women’s college basketball, consistently contending for national titles. In the 2024-25 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, South Carolina advanced to the Final Four, narrowly falling to UConn in the national championship game. Their 36-2 record showcased their depth, defensive prowess, and ability to compete at the highest level, cementing their status as the No. 1 team in ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2025-26.

Coach Staley herself called Okot a “game-changer” who will add scoring, rebounding, and defensive prowess to the Gamecocks’ roster.   

Okot’s Standout Performances at Mississippi State

During her lone season at Mississippi State in 2024-25, Okot established herself as a force in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Starting all 34 games, she averaged 11.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game, shooting an SEC-leading 64.9% from the field—fourth-best in the nation.

Her 12 double-doubles underscored her dominance, and she ranked fourth in the SEC in rebounds per game, improving to 10.1 in conference play.Her standout performance came against Vanderbilt on February 13, 2025, when Okot erupted for a season-high 21 points on 83.3% shooting, paired with an astonishing 23 rebounds—the most by any player in a single game nationally that season. She added four steals, three assists, and two blocks, leading the Bulldogs to an 85-77 double-overtime victory. This game showcased her ability to dominate both ends of the court, blending traditional post play with athleticism and defensive tenacity. In the NCAA Tournament, Okot remained productive, notching 14 points and 13 rebounds against California and eight points, six rebounds, and two steals in the loss to USC.   

From Kenya to the SEC: Okot’s Remarkable Journey

Okot’s path to South Carolina is a testament to her resilience and talent. Hailing from Mumias, Kenya, she initially pursued volleyball at Bishop Sulumeti High School before switching to basketball at Kaya Tiwi High School in 2019. With no prior knowledge of the sport, she learned from scratch, quickly rising through the ranks. By 2022, she was a key player for the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), leading them to the 2022 Kenya Basketball Federation league title and a runner-up finish in the 2023 FIBA Africa Women’s Basketball League, where she averaged 14.0 points and a league-best 11.0 rebounds.

Her international exploits include representing Kenya in 3×3 Basketball, debuting at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and helping the U23 team qualify for the 2022 3×3 World Championships. In 2023, Okot made history as the only African player on the World Select Women’s Team at the inaugural Nike Hoop Summit (Which featured notable players like Bronny James- LeBron James’ son who was drafted in the ongoing 2024/25 NBA season), facing top American prospects. After two years at Zetech University in Nairobi, visa issues delayed her U.S. move, with four applications denied before approval in August 2024, allowing her to join Mississippi State.   

Potential to Become Kenya’s Second WNBA Player

Okot’s transfer to South Carolina significantly boosts her WNBA prospects. Her size, athleticism, and two-way dominance draw comparisons to elite post players, and Staley’s track record of preparing players for the pros—A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston are recent No. 1 overall picks—makes South Carolina an ideal proving ground. Okot has expressed her dream of playing in the WNBA, and her move to a high-profile program increases her exposure to scouts.

The only Kenyan player to have made it to the WNBA is Olivia Nelson-Ododa. She was drafted 19th overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2022 WNBA Draft, becoming the first woman of Kenyan descent to be selected. Okot is a home-grown talent with the potential to become the first Kenyan born WNBA player. Her ability to score efficiently, dominate the glass, and protect the rim, combined with her improving footwork and versatility, positions her as a legitimate pro prospect. At South Carolina, she’ll face top competition and receive elite coaching, further honing her skills. Madina has time to solidify her draft stock.

To be eligible for the WNBA draft:

Domestic players: Must be at least 22 during the draft year, have graduated from a four-year college, be set to graduate within three months, or be four years removed from high school. Must renounce any remaining college eligibility 10 days before the draft (48 hours post-NCAA Tournament for Elite 8+ players or April 1, whichever is later).

International players: Must be 20 during the draft year.   

A Bright Future in Columbia

Madina Okot’s transfer to South Carolina is a win-win. For the Gamecocks, she addresses a critical need in the post, joining a roster featuring transfer guard Ta’Niya Latson and returning stars like Chloe Kitts and Joyce Edwards. For Okot, it’s a chance to compete for a national title, grow under Dawn Staley’s coaching, and inch closer to her WNBA dream. Her journey from a volleyball court in Mumias to the SEC’s brightest stage is inspiring, and her 21-point, 23-rebound masterpiece against Vanderbilt is a glimpse of her potential. As she dons the garnet and black, Okot is poised to make history—not just for herself, but for Kenyan basketball. 

Madina Okot’s 2023 Soya Most Promising Player Award: A Milestone in Her Meteoric Rise  In 2023, Madina Okot was honoured with the Sports Personality of the Year Awards (Soya) Most Promising Player Award in Kenya, a prestigious accolade that recognized her extraordinary talent and potential in basketball. This award, presented annually to celebrate Kenya’s top athletes, underscored Okot’s rapid ascent from a novice basketball player to an international sensation, marking a pivotal moment in her journey from Mumias to the global stage.   

Okot’s 2023 Achievements Leading to the Award

Okot’s 2023 season was nothing short of spectacular, providing ample justification for her Soya Award. Playing for KPA in the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) Premier League, she was a cornerstone of the team’s success, showcasing her dominance as a 6-foot-6 centre. Her ability to control the paint, score efficiently, and secure rebounds made her a matchup nightmare. KPA reached the finals of the 2023 FIBA Africa Women’s Basketball League, finishing as runners-up, with Okot leading the tournament in rebounding (11.0 per game) while averaging 14.0 points on strong shooting percentages.

Internationally, Okot represented Kenya in FIBA 3×3 competitions, including the 2022 Commonwealth Games (played in 2022 but recognized in her 2023 resume) and qualifiers for the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Championships.

Madina Okot has an opportunity to polish her résumé as she pushes forward with their WNBA goal as well as her academics, with her being in her Junior year.

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