Basketball heroine Madina Okot dazzles US ahead of Dream WNBA appearance
By Luke Oluoch, May 4, 2026Madina Okot’s sterling start to life with the women’s national basketball side, the Atlanta Dream, continues to generate buzz, with the Kenyan playing a pivotal role in the Dream’s second preseason game on Sunday, May 3, 2026, in the United States.
Okot, nicknamed Big Mama, made history by being drafted as a 13th pick for the Atlanta Dream in April 2026, days after ending her collegiate career.
The towering basketball star was at her usual cruising best despite a narrow loss to the Washington Mystics on Sunday, May 3, 2026.
Dominant in defeat
Okot was a formidable bench option for the clash, helping Dream’s late fightback, which nonetheless ended in a defeat against the Mystics.
She averaged 19 points and six rebounds, showcasing her immediate impact for the club while establishing herself as a double-double threat.
On her debut on Wednesday, April 29, against the Chicago Sky, Okot showed up on both ends, powering her side with 14 points and 11 rebounds. The feat ranked her the game’s top performer, and she carried on with finesse into Sunday, scoring brilliantly with step-backs and three-pointers in the encounter.
Her performance was so eye-catching that they sought to inquire if the WNBA’s new draft was indeed a rookie.
With action now shifting to the Women’s National Basketball League 2026 regular season, which officially tips off on May 8, 2026, Okot and Dreams will get their campaign underway with the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday, May 10, 2026.
Okot and the Dream will then travel to face the Dallas Wings on May 12 before returning to Atlanta for their highly anticipated home opener at State Farm Arena against the defending champion Las Vegas Aces on May 17.
The Mumias-born star will be looking to leverage her draft status and strong preseason performances to join the rare company of Kenyan female athletes to have graced the courts of the United States’s women’s league.