Kenyan basketball sensation Madina Okot secures big career move

Kenyan basketball sensation Madina Okot has committed to play for South Carolina for the 2025-26 academic year, transferring from Mississippi State.

Okot, who only made her trip to the US last August, was formally announced by the Gamecocks on Wednesday, 22 April, marking her latest move up the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) ladder.

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley reacted to the news, saying: “Madina gives our frontcourt additional size and speed.

She has the ability to score, rebound and defend, and her competitiveness and SEC experience are added bonuses. We’re excited to bring her to our Gamecock family, and I know the FAMS are going to love watching her play.”

Okot’s debut season at Mississippi State saw her average 11.3 points and a team-high 9.6 rebounds.

Her season rebounding average ranked fourth in the SEC, and that number rose to 10.1 per SEC game.

Okot’s scoring came on an SEC-best 64.9 per cent shooting, which ranked fourth in the nation. She scored in double figures 22 times in 34 games, including a pair of 20-point outings.

The 21-year-old finished the season with 12 double-doubles and was 10th in the SEC with 1.12 blocks per game.

Madina Okot posts double-double in Mississippi State debut

Playing for South Carolina next season offers her a chance to work her way towards a dream WNBA move.

Three Gamecocks were selected in this year’s WNBA Draft, marking the fourth time in the last nine drafts that the program has had multiple selections in a season.

Okot joins Florida State transfer Ta’Niya Latson (Miami, FL) and incoming freshman Ayla McDowell (Cypress, TX / Cypress Springs) as the new additions to the Gamecocks’ 2025-26 roster.

South Carolina last season missed out on a National Championship defense, losing to Paige Bueckers’ UConn 59-82.

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