Kenya’s Madina Okot Secures Historic WNBA Draft Spot
A standout from the University of South Carolina, Okot built her reputation as a dominant presence in the paint, averaging over 10 rebounds per game in her final college season and ranking among the top performers nationally.
By Staff Writer
Madina Okot has made history as the second Kenyan to be drafted into the WNBA, after being selected 13th overall by the Atlanta Dream in the 2026 draft.
The 21-year-old center becomes only the third Kenyan-born player to be picked in the league’s draft and the second native Kenyan to reach that milestone, marking a significant breakthrough for the country’s growing basketball profile.
Her selection came during the first round of the 2026 draft held in New York, where teams made a total of 15 opening-round picks.
A standout from the University of South Carolina, Okot built her reputation as a dominant presence in the paint, averaging over 10 rebounds per game in her final college season and ranking among the top performers nationally.
Standing at 6-foot-6, she is widely regarded as a high-upside prospect, with her rapid rise in the sport drawing attention from scouts and analysts alike, particularly given that she only began playing basketball a few years ago.
Her drafting adds to a short but growing list of Kenyan representation in the WNBA, following pioneers such as Josephine Owino, who was selected in 2009.
The milestone is expected to inspire a new generation of players in Kenya, as the country continues to gain visibility on the global basketball stage.
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