Madina Okot’s sensational debut draws high praise from Atlanta Dream coach

Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko is already raving about Kenyan center Madina Okot, hours after she made her pre-season debut in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) on Thursday, 30 April.

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Smesko, who is entering his second full season with Dream, said he was impressed by Okot’s talent on display, all while projecting a big future for her, should she get to speed with the high-level of basketball needed in the big league.

“I think she’s a great talent,” Smesko said of Okot shortly after Atlanta Dream’s 87-78 win over Chicago Sky in a preseason game at the Wintrust Arena.

“I think she is going to be really, really good.”

Madina Okot makes sensational start to life in WNBA

In the pre-season opener for Atlanta, rookie Okot led her team in both points and rebounds, scoring 14 and 11 respectively, this despite coming off the bench and playing limited minutes.

Coming in as the team’s highest pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, Okot remained her true self as she bossed proceedings inside the paint, something that was not lost on many watching, as she ended up being presented as WNBA’s top performer during the game.

That said, however, Smesko did think there were aspects of Okot’s game that she needed to work on, to become the star he thinks she will be.

“There's some things for the [WNBA] that she's going to have to work on, but that's what we're going to do,” Smesko said of the former University of South Carolina Gamecock, who was denied an extra year of eligibility in college by the NCAA.

“We're going to spend the time, go over the film, explain things. I think it's just good to get a game under your belt, and then in a couple days, you'll get another one.”

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Built as a 6-foot-6-inch center, Okot in college ranked third nationally in double-doubles, totalling 13, with career highs of 12.8 points and a conference best 10.6 rebounds.

Her point-scoring, strong rebounding, shot-blocking abilities, and physical presence in the paint, are thought to be ingredients that will propel her to new heights in the WNBA.

Smesko could not disagree.

"She has all the tools now,” the former Florida Gulf Coast coach said. “Just figuring out the right time to do each one, and that'll take a little bit of time, but she's really smart, so she'll pick it up."

Her next chance to improve on her game will come on Sunday, 3 May when the Dream host the Washington Mystics at The Gateway Center Arena at 2200 EAT.