𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗𝗪𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗨𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗜𝗖: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗗𝗮𝘄𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘆𝗮’𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗢𝗸𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮 “𝗔 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱”

𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗𝗪𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗨𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗜𝗖: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗗𝗮𝘄𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘆𝗮’𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗢𝗸𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮 “𝗔 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱”

 

South Carolina fans have another reason to celebrate this summer, and her name is Madina Okot — a towering 6’5” basketball sensation from Kenya whose commitment to the Gamecocks is sending shockwaves across the college basketball world. In a heartfelt interview, Okot shared her journey, her dreams, and why Dawn Staley’s program stood out as the perfect fit for the next chapter of her basketball story.

 

With South Carolina already known as one of the premier destinations for elite women’s basketball recruits, the addition of Okot signals not only another big win for head coach Dawn Staley but also a strong step toward globalizing the Gamecocks’ reach. While the program has had its share of standout international players, the signing of Madina Okot represents something deeply special — a young woman traveling thousands of miles from East Africa to the Southeastern Conference, all in pursuit of greatness.

 

A Journey Fueled by Faith, Family, and a Love for the Game

 

Growing up in Nairobi, Kenya, Okot didn’t always have easy access to high-level facilities or elite competition. But what she did have was raw talent, unwavering determination, and a support system that believed in her dreams even when the road ahead seemed uncertain.

 

“Where I’m from, opportunities like this don’t come around every day,” Okot said. “I’ve always dreamed of playing at the highest level, and when South Carolina called, it felt like everything I had been praying and working for was finally aligning.”

 

Okot credits her family—especially her mother—for fueling her determination. “She taught me how to fight for what I believe in. Every time I step on the court, I’m not just playing for myself; I’m playing for her, for Kenya, and for every little girl back home who’s watching,” she added with emotion.

 

Why South Carolina? It Starts With Coach Staley

 

When asked why she chose the Gamecocks, Okot’s answer was immediate and powerful: “Coach Staley.”

 

“She’s a legend. But more than that, she’s real. When we talked, it wasn’t just about basketball. It was about life, my goals, my struggles, and what kind of person I want to become,” said Okot. “She made me feel like I belonged — like South Carolina was home even before I stepped foot on campus.”

 

Dawn Staley’s reputation as a player’s coach, a visionary leader, and a global ambassador for women’s basketball clearly resonated with Okot. The Gamecocks’ championship pedigree, elite development system, and culture of empowerment were also major factors in her decision.

 

A Global Star in the Making

 

Madina’s game is defined by her length, mobility, shot-blocking ability, and a soft touch around the rim — all traits that project well in the SEC and beyond. Analysts see her as a high-upside forward who could blossom into a major two-way force under Staley’s tutelage.

 

“She’s just scratching the surface,” said one scout familiar with her play at the African Youth Championships. “Once she adjusts to the physicality and pace of college basketball in the U.S., she’s going to be a nightmare for opposing teams.”

 

Okot isn’t just coming to play — she’s coming to learn, to grow, and to lead.

 

“I want to bring my best self every day,” she said. “I know it won’t be easy, but I also know I’m not alone. I’m walking into a sisterhood, into a legacy. I want to make Coach Staley proud.”

 

A Message for Her New Gamecock Family

 

In a message to South Carolina fans, Okot shared her gratitude and excitement:

 

“To everyone in Columbia — thank you for welcoming me. I can’t wait to be a part of this amazing community. I’ll give everything I have on the court and off it. Let’s go do something special together.”

 

The Gamecocks, already stacked with elite talent, just added a potential future star who embodies heart, humility, and hunger.

 

Dawn Staley has done it again — not just by securing a major recruit, but by identifying a world-class individual whose story transcends borders. With Madina Okot on board, the future is looking even brighter in Columbia.