Madina Okot: US-based Kenyan sensation steals the show in American college basketball contest

Kenya’s rising basketball star Madina Okot displayed her immense talents when she led her US team to victory in the NCAA Southeastern Conference Women's Basketball.

Okot joined the Mississippi State women's basketball team, popularly known as Mississippi State Bulldogs, in April 2024, having secured a scholarship at Starkville, Mississippi.

She looks to be very much at home now as she was the toast for the Bulldogs on Thursday night when she had a commanding performance as they came from behind to beat Vanderbilt Commodores 85-77.

The Bulldogs had a 10-point deficit in the first quarter but won the second 14-3 before claiming a 21-17 win in the third, but their opponents tied the game at the buzzer, forcing overtime.

However, one overtime was not enough as both sides scored seven points in the first period, but in the second one, the Bulldogs showed their might to claim victory.

It was a lead largely orchestrated by the heroics of Okot, who poured in 21 points on 83.3 percent shooting, adding 23 rebounds, four steals and two blocks.

Along with collecting the most rebounds in a single game for any player in the country this season, Okot's 21 points were the most she has scored in conference play while it was only the second time since joining the team that she has scored over 20 points this term.

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The former KPA star is providing her value to the Bulldogs and she looks on course to achieving her dream of playing in the lucrative Women’s NBA in future.

Jerkaila Jordan also had 21 points, Chandler Prater adding 14 points, the sixth time she had scored in double figures this season, while she also had nine rebounds.

The Bulldogs will be back in action on Sunday, when they take on the Florida Gators in Gainesville, and Okot will be among the players being looked up to deliver the goods.