- Kenya’s Madina Okot looks set to secure a place on the final 12-player roster at the Atlanta Dream.
- This comes after she stole the spotlight during preseason games, catching the attention of head coach Karl Smesko.
- She impressed in both preseason matchups against the Chicago Sky and the Minnesota Lynx, averaging 11.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 22 minutes per game.
The Atlanta Dream wrapped up their preseason ahead of the WNBA tip-off this coming weekend, and Kenya’s history-maker Madina Okot looks set to secure a spot on the final 12-player roster after impressing on both ends of the court and catching the eye of head coach Karl Smesko.
The Dream have only a few days left to trim their squad down to 12 players, and Sunday night’s clash against the Washington Mystics was their last real chance for an honest evaluation of who stays.
Despite falling 83-72, there were positives and negatives to pull from the matchup to aid their decisions.
But one player stood head and shoulders above the rest – the 13th overall pick, Okot, who has already drawn praise from coach Smesko.
“I’m really impressed with Madina’s potential,” Smesko said after the game. “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 ton. For her to impact the game as much as she did was pretty impressive.”
Okot finished as one of the top players in the matchup with nine points, six rebounds, and two blocks.
Though the first round pick Okot, has only been with the team for about three weeks, she’s making rapid progress thanks to the support from those around her.
“I’ve had the best experience,” Okot said. “I’m here it’s not college anymore. I’m learning so much from my vets, and they’ve done a fantastic job talking me through everything. My coaches have done well trying to erase what I was used to doing at South Carolina. This is a new system. I’ll be ready when the season comes.”
This was the 21-year-old’s second appearance, but her first at home with the Dream.
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Madina Okot shines in WNBA preseason
In her debut match, she asserted her dominance, dropping a double-double as they beat the Chicago Sky 87-78.
Madina led her team in both points and rebounds, notching 14 and 11 respectively, all while coming off the bench in limited minutes.
One player who has been in her corner since she arrived is the sensational Angel Reese who also just joined the Dream this offseason but is already regarded as one of the league’s top talents based on her first two years.
Whenever Okot came to the bench, Reese was the first to coach up the rookie. When Okot was on the floor, Reese was one of the first off the bench, celebrating her teammate’s good plays.
“She’s always trying to get me ready,” Okot said about Reese. “She’s more experienced than I am, and she’s constantly walking me through what I should be doing. That’s before the game. During the game, when I’m on the bench, she’s in, and when I’m in, she’s on the bench, so she sees more of what I’m doing out there.”
Standing 6-foot-6, Okot ranked third nationally in college for double-doubles, tallying 13, with career highs of 12.8 points and a conference-best 10.6 rebounds.
Any minutes she gets this season will be invaluable, and it’s safe to say she has the right people guiding her through her rookie campaign.
If Madina makes the final 12, the Dream will start prepping for the season opener on the road against the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday, May 10, at Target Center, tipping off at 3 a.m. East African time.