- Madina Okot has been denied an additional year of eligibility at South Carolina, and will now turn her focus to the WNBA Draft set for April.
- The decision, confirmed on Wednesday, April 8, affirms that the Gamecock senior has exhausted her collegiate eligibility.
- If drafted, Okot will etch her name into history as one of the few Kenyan-born players to reach the WNBA, following in the footsteps of Josephine Owino, who became the first Kenyan drafted in 2009.
Kenyan-born Madina Okot will now turn her attention to the historic WNBA Draft, after the eligibility waiver that South Carolina submitted to the NCAA was denied, confirming that the Gamecock senior has exhausted her college career.
In just two seasons, the South Carolina senior’s time in college ball is over, meaning the 6-foot-6 center has used up her eligibility and will be available for selection by WNBA teams in the upcoming draft this April.
“The season of competition waiver that South Carolina submitted for Madina Okot has been denied. The decision confirms that the Gamecock senior has exhausted her collegiate eligibility,” the Gamecocks confirmed on Wednesday, April 8, via their social media channels.
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Madina Okot denied an additional year of eligibility at South Carolina
In just two seasons in the NCAA, Okot emerged as one of the top centers in the nation.
This year, she ranked third in the country with 22 double-doubles, 16th in rebounding average (10.6), and 19th in field goal percentage (.575).
Okot was an All-SEC Second Team selection and was the Gamecocks’ top rebounder in 29 of her 39 appearances, delivering one of the best rebounding campaigns in program history.
She ranks second in the program’s single-season record books for offensive rebounds (149) and third in both total rebounds (412) and defensive boards (263).
Her 22 double-doubles are also the fifth-most in a single season in program history.
“Early in her basketball career, Madina made courageous choices not just to pursue just the sport, but also to better her life,” South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said. “Her path included just a short time with us in Columbia, but we are grateful to be part of her story. She made our team and our sport better.”
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Madina is a 21-year-old from Mumias, Kenya, who started playing basketball in 2020 at Kaya Tiwi Secondary School, then suited up for Zetech University before plying her trades to the United States. She spent her first season at Mississippi State in Starkville, then moved to South Carolina, where her star has been shining ever since.
During her time with the Bulldogs, she ranked fourth nationally in field goal percentage, shooting an impressive 64.9% from the floor.
This season, in addition to her dominance in the paint, Okot showcased an improved shooting range.
She shot 70% from the free-throw line and converted 13 of 29 three-point attempts, registering a 44.8% success rate. She was again named to the All-SEC Second Team and played a vital role in South Carolina’s sixth consecutive Final Four appearance.
Madina Okot eyes becoming second ever Kenyan Drafted into the WNBA
Okot is widely projected to be selected in the WNBA Draft, with expectations placing her anywhere from the late first round to the early second round.
The Athletic’s latest mock draft has Okot as the No. 12 pick heading to the Connecticut Sun. ESPN’s February mock draft listed her as the No. 10 pick going to the Indiana Fever.
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If drafted, Okot will etch her name into history as one of the few Kenyan-born players to reach the WNBA, following in the footsteps of Josephine Owino, who became the first Kenyan drafted in 2009 (28th overall by the Washington Mystics), and Olivia Ododa, selected in 2022, although she represents the United States internationally.
So history is in the making for the 21-year-old, who is set to become just the second native Kenyan player ever drafted into the WNBA.