Madina Okot: Kenyan Sensation Close to Realizing WNBA Dream as Daft Pick Date is Set

Kenyan basketball sensation Madina Okot is just days away from realizing her dream of playing in the lucrative WNBA, the women’s equivalent of the NBA.

Okot is set to enter the WNBA Draft taking place on Monday April 13, with projections placing her as a potential first-round selection, a milestone moment for Kenyan basketball on the global stage.

Standing at 6'6", Okot who most recently starred for the South Carolina Gamecocks, arrives at the draft following a strong 2025/26 season that saw her emerge as one of the most productive frontcourt players in women’s college basketball.

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She was part of the Gamecocks squad that reached the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship final, competing at the highest level of the collegiate game.

“Madina brought so much to our team this year both on the court and off,” said South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley.

“She is incredibly young in her basketball career, but her maturity and desire to improve her game go well beyond those years. We have seen so much growth from her over the course of the season, and everyone around our program is excited to see her thrive at the next level.”

Now, with the draft approaching, the focus shifts to where the dominant but relatively inexperienced center might begin her professional career.

Despite starting basketball later in life compared to peers like Lauren Betts, Okot's talent is undeniable, and she is widely projected to be a top-10 pick but where could she potentially end up?

Indiana Fever

The Indiana Fever could be a prime destination for Okot, especially if other top centers like Adu Fam and Lauren Betts are selected earlier. The Fever, led by star guard Caitlin Clark, are in need of a strong interior presence. Okot's ability to dominate the paint would provide a perfect inside-out threat, complementing Clark's long-range shooting and creating a formidable offensive combination.

Toronto Tempo

The league's newest franchise, the Toronto Tempo, might see Okot as a valuable addition to their frontcourt. While she possesses immense talent, some analysts view her as a player who still needs refinement.

In Toronto, she could serve as a high-potential backup center, learning from a more experienced player like Nyara Sabally, whom the Tempo acquired in the expansion draft. This mentorship could be crucial for developing Okot's raw skills into polished professional talent.

Washington Mystics

A scenario exists where the top of the draft becomes a run on centers. If the Dallas Wings pass on Azzi Fudd to select Adu Fam at No. 1, and the next pick is Lauren Betts, the Washington Mystics could be in a position to grab the next-best center available.

In this case, that would be Madina Okot. Should the Mystics miss out on their primary target, Betts, they could pivot to Okot and still secure a foundational piece for their frontcourt at the fourth overall pick.

Okot’s progression through the game has been notably accelerated, having only begun playing basketball in 2020. She started her college career in Kenya playing for Zetech University and then spent two years in the U.S. college system, first with the Mississippi State Bulldogs, before transferring to the South Carolina Gamecocks.