Madina Okot makes history as the first Kenyan-born woman to reach the NCAA final four
Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 01.04.26. | 13:06
The victory further cemented South Carolina’s place among college basketball’s elite, as they became just the second program in NCAA history to reach six straight Final Fours
Kenyan-born centre Madina Okot has etched her name into the history books after becoming the first Kenyan-born woman to reach the NCAA Final Four, following a dominant run with the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball.
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The Gamecocks booked their place in a sixth consecutive Final Four appearance after dismantling the TCU Horned Frogs women's basketball 78-52 in the Elite Eight on Monday, 30 March.
The victory further cemented South Carolina’s place among college basketball’s elite, as they became just the second program in NCAA history to reach six straight Final Fours.
Head coach Dawn Staley, who has already guided the team to three national championships, admitted the achievement never loses its significance despite their sustained dominance.
This season’s squad, however, carries a different look. With new additions such as Ta'Niya Latson bolstering the backcourt and Okot adding depth in the paint, alongside highly rated freshman Agot Makeer, the Gamecocks have had to rebuild after losing several key players to transfers and the WNBA.
Veteran guard Raven Johnson remains the only player on the roster with Final Four experience throughout her entire collegiate career.
Despite being labelled relatively inexperienced, South Carolina have been ruthless in the tournament. They scored at least 90 points in their opening three games, including back-to-back 100-point performances in the Round of 64 and 32, and boast a staggering +161-point differential, the fourth-largest margin heading into a Final Four in NCAA history.
Their Elite Eight clash against TCU briefly tested their resolve. The Horned Frogs raced into a 6-0 lead, the first time South Carolina had trailed in the tournament, but the Gamecocks responded with decisive runs at the end of the first and second quarters to take control and cruise to victory.
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While the team’s focus now shifts to the Final Four, Okot’s individual journey continues to draw attention both on and off the court.
Having averaged 13.2 points and 10.8 rebounds this season, alongside 22 double-doubles, the fifth-most in a single season in program history, Okot has emerged as one of the most intriguing prospects ahead of the upcoming WNBA Draft on April 13.
Her rise is even more remarkable considering she only began playing basketball in 2020. That rapid development, combined with her physical presence, has made her a projected first-round pick, with many scouts viewing her relative inexperience as untapped potential.
However, her future remains uncertain.
Okot has applied for an additional year of NCAA eligibility, with South Carolina arguing that the two seasons she played in Kenya while awaiting a U.S. student visa should not count toward her college eligibility. The university is appealing the ruling, but with no response yet from the NCAA, time is becoming a critical factor.
Under current rules, players still competing in the NCAA Tournament have 48 hours after their final game to declare for the draft. For Okot, that presents a difficult decision: begin her professional career as a likely WNBA lottery pick or return to college and form a formidable frontcourt partnership with teammates such as Sania Feagin, Ashlyn Watkins, and Chloe Kitts.
“I don’t know when I’m going to decide on that, and I haven’t made up my mind yet. I need time to think about that,” she said.
For now, her focus is on the Final Four.