Kenya’s golden girl Madina Okot writes more history in WNBA
President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto watched the game courtside alongside NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum, creating a historic moment as Madina Okot spoke Swahili with the presidential couple after the match.
Photo credit: PCS
By Ayumba Ayodi
Correspondent
NMG Sport
What you need to know:
- In April she became first Kenyan to be drafted into America's WNBA.
- Okot is set to become the first Kenyan to play in the WNBA Finals.
Madina Okot wrote history on April 13 when she became the first Kenyan to be drafted into America's Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) in the first round by the Atlanta Dream.
She reached a career milestone of 100 total rebounds during her rookie campaign in a win against the Dallas Wings on July 3.
The Mumias-born Atlanta Dream centre is now set to become the first Kenyan to play in the WNBA Finals.
Atlanta Dream edged out New York Liberty 85-83 in a thrilling semi-final play-offs Game Three to complete a 3-0 sweep on Saturday morning (Kenyan time) at the Barclays Centre, Brooklyn, New York, to book a place in the finals.
It was the first final Atlanta Dream were reaching in 13 years, and of course Okot's first time.
Okot's Atlanta Dream will now prepare to face the Golden State Valkyries from October 17 in the WNBA Finals best-of-seven series.
Golden State needed extra time to beat Las Vegas Aces 87-77 and also complete a 3-0 sweep in Las Vegas on Saturday morning.
Even though Okot was not used on the bench in the high-stakes game three thriller and game two, she came off the the bench in game one to help her mates cruise to a 92-82 victory. She hit a critical sequence highlighted by the league, executing a block and securing a bucket on the other end.
Okot is the only rookie from the first round of the 2026 WNBA draft to reach the WNBA Finals this season.
It’s the fourth time Atlanta Dream will be featuring in the WNBA Finals, having previously battled for the title at the 2010, 2011 and 2013 finals, losing all of them 3-0. They lost to Seattle Storm in 2010 and Minnesota Lynx in 2011 and 2013.
Madina Okot holding up Atlanta Dream jersey with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert at The Shed New York City on April 13, 2026.
Photo credit: Pool
Atlanta Dream topped the Eastern Conference with 30 wins and 14 losses to finish fourth overall behind Lynx, Valkyries and Aces.
Okot was drafted 13th overall by the Atlanta Dream in the 2026 WNBA Draft after a standout collegiate season at the University of South Carolina.
She is fast gaining fame for her explosive rebounding, shot-blocking, and speed. In the 32 games she has played this season, she has averaged 5.4 points and 3.3 rebounds.
She has a field goal shooting percentage of 58 and a free throw shooting percentage of 76.8
Okot , became the third Kenyan to play in WNBA after Josephine Owino and Olivia Nelson-Ododa, who also went through the WNBA draft.
After the WNBA Finals, Okot, 21, will move to the Southern Hemisphere to play for Tasmania Jewels in the Australian Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) during the WNBA off-season.
The WNBA off-season begins after the conclusion of the WNBA Finals in October.
WNBA players cash on the offseason break to play for other teams or leagues outside the USA with a view of maximizing their income, while staying in good shape throughout the year instead of taking a six-month break.
The leagues, mainly in Turkey, China, Spain and Italy, are bankrolled by wealthy owners, corporations, or government and offer significantly higher salaries than what WNBA offers.
One of the most popular leagues is the annual EuroLeague Women.
Okot is among the top stars from WNBA, who have committed to overseas clubs during the WNBA off-season.
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