South Carolina’s March Madness Star Mastered Dribbling at 16
Madina Okot said her family remains central to her life. She has not seen them since leaving Kakamega, Kenya, in August 2024.
From Kakamega to the Final Four
Okot traveled nearly 8,000 miles to pursue college basketball in the United States. Her parents are Jacquiline Sikuku and Musa Mulah Masai. She is the fifth of eight children. Her family has stayed close through frequent FaceTime calls and constant messages.
South Carolina beat TCU to reach the Final Four. Okot entered the matchup against UConn with 22 double-doubles. That total is tied for the most among players in all power conferences.
Late start, rapid rise
Okot grew up playing volleyball and only picked up basketball in 2020. She mastered dribbling at 16 after making the hard switch from volleyball. She then learned post moves, layups, and fundamentals in quick order.
She played for Kenya’s U23 3×3 national team. Okot represented Kenya at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in England. College coaches took notice at that event.
Visa battles and the college path
Okot applied for a U.S. visa five times. Four attempts were denied before the fifth succeeded. Mississippi State offered her a roster spot for the 2024-25 season.
She attended Zetech University near Nairobi during the appeals. Eastern Michigan and Troy were among the U.S. programs that contacted her. Her arrival in the U.S. finally followed the successful visa effort.
Mississippi State to South Carolina
At Mississippi State, Okot averaged 11.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. Her 64.9 percent field-goal rate led the SEC and ranked fourth nationally. She transferred to South Carolina in April 2025.
This season she averaged 13.2 points and 10.8 rebounds for the Gamecocks. She has become a March Madness star and a key presence in the post.
Role, support and style
Dawn Staley’s staff and teammates have helped Okot adjust to the program. Coaches call her “Big Mama” for her size and gentle nature. Assistant coach Wendale Farrow highlighted the team’s efforts to make her feel at home.
Roommate Raven Johnson played a major role during a difficult summer. Teammates offered steady support when Okot considered returning to Kenya. The staff also helped locate familiar foods in Columbia, and she now enjoys Tropical Smoothie Cafe.
Prospects and next steps
South Carolina is pursuing a waiver that could extend Okot’s eligibility. If the waiver is denied, she plans to enter the WNBA Draft later this month. An anonymous WNBA general manager said she projects as a first-round pick.
Scouts praise her rebounding and her ability to stretch the floor. Evaluators view her as a high-upside pick because of rapid improvement. The Gamecocks are two wins away from a fourth national title under Staley.
Filmogaz.com’s Chantel Jennings and Devon Henderson contributed reporting.
