Sports has always been a tool that brings people together and nothing brings a country together than a sparkling and trendy sports headline. Recently, Kenya got her chance to be at the centre of the sporting spotlight thanks to Madina Okot, who, against all odds, was drafted to the WNBA, a big win for Kenyan basketball.
The Genesis of Her Career
The bright star of Madina began when she was spotted by coach Phillip Onyango Ombajo, and unlike many who are spotted for talent, Madina was spotted purely for her height. In fact, at the time, she was playing volleyball at Bishop Sulumeti (Lugari) in form two. It’s not a sport she loved, but she was good at it.
Her height led her to transfer to one of Kenya's basketball powerhouses, Kaya Tiwi Secondary School (Kwale). Her late start in the sport and high expectations led to hard, intense training sessions, but it wasn’t long before she started making waves in the Kenyan basketball scene.
Her talent and performance were enough to attract another Kenyan basketball powerhouse, Zetech University. She was picked by Coach Obi, responsible for moulding some of the brightest Kenyan stars, and at Zetech Sparks, Madina’s star became unmistakable.
Selection in The National Team
After her stint at Zetech, Madina was quickly selected to one of kenya’s basketball titans KPA and also had multiple call-ups to the Kenya Lionesses, where she represented Kenya in the FIBA Africa Zone V championships in 2021 and 2022, featured in the 3x3 basketball U23 in Romania in 2022 and FIBA Africa Women’s Champions Cup and Commonwealth Games also in 2022.
By 2022, height was not Madina’s only calling card. She had the talent, finesse and tenacity to complete the package. It was evident she was headed for great things, and it wasn’t long before talk of going overseas had started spreading around.
Journey to the United States
Despite multiple Visa rejections, Madina was finally able to join Mississippi State for a short stint before suiting up for the South Carolina Game Cocks where her talent went up another level. Madina became a power double-double machine and added a solid perimeter shot to her game, helping carry her team to the Final Four and a 13th overall selection at the 2026 WNBA Draft.
Madina’s journey has been nothing short of amazing! A true depiction of hard work yielding success, unrelenting dedication and the role of good coaches in moulding a competent and complete player.
WE ARE PROUD OF YOU, MADINA! Continue representing kenya and women in basketball positively. You carry the dreams and aspirations of many!