- Kenya’s basketball star Madina Okot has joined Australia’s Tasmania Jewels for the WNBA offseason.
- The 21-year-old center joins the WNBL expansion franchise as their marquee second import player.
- Even though she has signed with the Australian side, Okot remains a proud member of the Atlanta Dream in the United States.
Kenya’s basketball sensation Madina Okot has secured a WNBA offseason deal that will see her heading to Australia after signing with Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) side Tasmania Jewels.
Standing at 6-foot-6 with a commanding 6-foot-10 wingspan, the 21-year-old center joins the WNBL expansion franchise as their marquee second import player.
This strategic, short-term contract bridges the WNBA offseason, keeping Okot sharp and competing at an elite level in a highly competitive Southern Hemisphere league before she returns to the United States in January 2027 to continue her trajectory with the Atlanta Dream.
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Okot’s arrival instantly raises the competitive bar for the Tasmania Jewels as they prepare for their highly anticipated WNBL27 debut.
Head coach Claudia Brassard emphasized that Okot’s physical dominance and defensive instincts will provide the club with an elite rim-protecting and rebounding presence in the paint.
“Okot is the final piece of our team; we’ll be very competitive. Her game style is physical; her height and wingspan are intimidating.”
“She’ll give us a big presence inside the paint, an elite rebounder who can also help us defensively. She’s relatively new to basketball and her upside is huge; she’s only just scratching the surface.”
Okot said that at this early stage of her career, surrounding herself with the right people to support her continued development and being part of a team with a good culture was critical.
“After talking to Izzy (Isobel Borlase), my teammate in Atlanta, and after having a Zoom with the coaches, they made everything so clear,” Okot said. “I like the team’s culture; I like how they take good care of players, and I just can’t wait to meet you all.”
Okot joins Steph Reid, Keely Froling, Darcee Garbin, Brooke Basham, Chloe Broomhall, Portia Chopping, Katie Deeble, Mia Jacobs, Gianna Kneepkens, Ava McDonald, Taylor Mole, Nikki Parker, Andie Smith, Georgia Taylor and Ella Tofaeono as players committed to Tasmania.
The Jewels’ first-ever game is against Geelong on October 15 at MyState Bank Arena.
Why Madina Okot is still a contracted WNBA player with Atlanta Dream and can play in Australia
Even though she has signed with this new Australian team, Okot, who was once a volleyball player, remains a proud member of the Atlanta Dream in the United States.
This is possible because the American and Australian leagues play their seasons at completely different times of the year.
When the American season ends in autumn, players are left with several months before the next WNBA campaign begins.
To stay in great shape and continue testing their skills against top-level competition, WNBA players frequently travel overseas to play during the offseason.
This double-team setup is completely legal because standard WNBA contracts are specifically structured around the league’s summer season.
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The Atlanta Dream does not restrict Okot from playing during the WNBA offseason, and league rules allow players to compete overseas to maintain their fitness and sharpen their game.
Her primary American contract remains active throughout this period, meaning she is still an Atlanta Dream player and is expected to return to the United States once her temporary stint in Australia is over.
Okot made history by becoming the first Kenyan player to be drafted in the first round of the WNBA Draft, going 13th overall, and her first season with the Dream has been sensational so far, with the young center playing a significant role in the team’s campaign.
Through 29 regular-season games in Atlanta, the Kenyan center is averaging 6.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 0.3 blocks per game while logging around 9.5 minutes per contest.
In addition, she reached a major career landmark by grabbing her 100th rebound during a thrilling comeback victory against the Dallas Wings.
Furthermore, she showcased her offensive potential by putting up a spectacular career-high 19 points and eight rebounds in a single game against the Portland Fire, while maintaining an excellent 59.8% shooting accuracy from the field across the season.