Madina Okot played the 2025-26 season with the South Carolina Gamecocks under Dawn Staley. Okot helped the Gamecocks reach the national championship game, where they were defeated by the UCLA Bruins. Okot declared for the WNBA draft and was picked up by the Atlanta Dream 13th overall.
Okot is in the middle of preseason reps with the Dream, trying to acclimate herself in a professional setting. After Sunday’s 83-72 loss against the Washington Mystics, Okot spoke with raw honesty about how college basketball is different from the WNBA.
Speaking about her experience so far with the Dream, Okot said her coaches are helping her “try to delete” what she used to do in South Carolina.
“I’ve had the best experience,” Okot said. “I’m here; it’s not college anymore. Learning so much from my vets, and they’ve been doing a great job talking to me through everything. My coaches have done a good job trying to delete what I was used to doing in South Carolina. This is a new system. I’ll be ready when the season is here.”
Before her senior year, Okot transferred to South Carolina, where she averaged 12.8 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.
Madina Okot Impresses In Her Atlanta Dream’s Preseason Debut
In Monday’s game, Madina Okot came off the bench to record nine points (on 3-6 shooting, including 1-3 from the 3-point range), six rebounds, one assist, one steal, two blocks and five turnovers in 21 minutes.
Her performance made the decision easier for the Dream, who have to cut down their roster to 12 spots for the regular season. Safe to say, Okot will be one of the 12 members.
Dream head coach Karl Smesko had this to say about Okot:
“I’m really impressed with Madina’s potential,” Smesko said. “All the things she’s able to do. Make defensive plays, alter shots, score in the post. She had a nice drive, and she’s still learning a lot. For her to be able to impact the game as much as she did was pretty impressive.”
Okot revealed that Angel Reese, who joined the team in the offseason, has been helping her prepare for her rookie season behind the scenes. Okot didn’t play in the first preseason game against the Chicago Sky. The Dream won that encounter, 87-78.
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