Madina Okot tops list of game-changing women’s college basketball transfers
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Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 15.12.25. | 11:47
The Kenyan big has been a force on both ends of the floor, anchoring the interior in a way that makes the Gamecocks the best version of themselves
Kenyan basketball sensation Madina Okot has emerged as the most impactful women’s college basketball transfer this season, redefining No. 3 South Carolina’s identity and reaffirming the program’s long-standing dominance in the paint.
The Mumias-born canter did not arrive in Columbia as the most anticipated newcomer.
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That tag belonged to senior guard Ta’Niya Latson, the nation’s leading scorer last season at Florida State and now delivering on her billing for the Gamecocks.
With Latson’s arrival, there was an expectation that Dawn Staley’s side would tilt towards a guard-driven identity.
Instead, Okot’s immediate acclimatization has ensured South Carolina’s strengths once again emanate from their frontcourt.
The Kenyan big has been a force on both ends of the floor, anchoring the interior in a way that makes the Gamecocks the best version of themselves.
She currently boasts the best rebounding percentage in the Southeastern Conference, pulling down 23.6 per cent of available boards in just 25 minutes per game.
South Carolina’s defense, already among the nation’s elite, is at its stingiest in Okot’s minutes, posting a 65.4 defensive rating.
While her averages of 14.8 points and 11.1 rebounds per game underline her production, it is her broader influence that has elevated South Carolina.
As analyst Josh Felton recently noted, the Gamecocks’ overall dominance is rooted in their control of the inside, an area where Okot’s imprint is unmistakable.
Okot committed to and officially signed with the University of South Carolina in April, shortly after entering the transfer portal from Mississippi State.
She joined the program for the 2025–26 academic year and made her debut in the fall of 2025.
Her move was formally announced by the Gamecocks on Wednesday, April 22, marking another significant step up the NCAA ladder for the center, who only made her first trip to the United States in August 2025.
Joining South Carolina represented a pivotal moment in Okot’s career, aligning her with one of the NCAA’s elite programs and significantly strengthening her pathway to the professional ranks.
Under Staley, widely regarded as one of the greatest developers of WNBA talent, Okot is learning within a system that has produced stars such as Las Vegas Aces center and 2025 WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson.
That trajectory has placed Okot firmly on the WNBA's radar.
She has been projected to land at the Indiana Fever, who finished the 2025 season 24–20 and reached the semifinals.
The 2026 WNBA Draft order was finalised on Sunday, 23 November, with the Fever holding the 10th overall pick in the first round.
In ESPN’s post-lottery 2026 WNBA mock draft, analyst Michael Voepel tipped Indiana to select Okot with that pick.
Should that projection materialize, the Kenyan would join Gamecock legend Aliyah Boston in the Fever frontcourt. Bree Hall also finished the year with Indiana, though she does not have a contract beyond 2025.
With only two players other than superstar Caitlin Clark currently under contract for 2026, Fever head coach Stephanie White faces a crucial draft decision to keep the team among title contenders. Okot’s blend of size, efficiency, and defensive presence has seen her widely viewed as a near-perfect fit.
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