Kenyan Women’s basketballer sensation, Madina Okot is on the verge of history as she heads into the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Draft on Monday, April 13, 2026, at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City.
The 21-year old measuring 6’6 in height, is projected as a first-round pick, which will be an utmost groundbreaking milestone for Kenyan women in the sports world especially in basketball on international stage.
Okot, who shone for the South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2025/26 season, has propelled to stardom, she helped her team reach to the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship final, proving herself among the elite in college ball.
“We’ve seen tremendous growth from her all season, and our entire program can’t wait to watch her dominate the pros,” said her coach Dawn Staley.
Her unique journey began when the NCAA denied her another year of eligibility, giving the 6-foot-6 center no choice but to look to the next chapter of her playing career.
Unlike most players in this year’s draft class, Okot did not get a full four years of college in the United States. She did not even get three. Okot only started playing basketball six years ago.
When she was 17, she played 3-on-3 basketball for Kenya’s national team then went to Zetech University, before moving to play for Mississippi State during the 2024-25 season, according to Greenville News.
Her fast-paced rise has defied odds, “Sometimes I wake up and think, ‘Am I really here?’ It feels like a dream after everything I’ve overcome,” she shared in a recent interview.
“I’m so grateful. Every day is a chance to chase what I once dreamed of, I’m living it now.”
According to ESPN, Okot averaged 12.8 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, shooting an eye-popping 57.5% from the field and 44.8% from beyond the arc.
She scored 22 double-doubles, tying for the top mark among Power Conference players, a stat line that clearly showcased her WNBA readiness.
Mock drafts from top analysts positions her as a high first-rounder, which is the ideal blend of size, skill, and upside.
If selected early, the 21-year old would demolish records as the highest-drafted Kenyan in WNBA or NBA history, joining a rare club of Kenyan athletes in the league.
