WNBA: Dream come true as Atlanta Dream select Kenyan star Okot 13th overall

The 6-foot-6 standout from the South Carolina Gamecocks becomes the first Kenyan ever selected in the first round, cementing her status as the highest-drafted player in the country's history across both the WNBA and NBA.

Okot’s journey to the professional ranks is nothing short of remarkable. Remarkably, the Mumias native only picked up a basketball for the first time in 2020 at Kaya Tiwi. 

Initially a volleyball player, her rapid development saw her transition from local Kenyan courts with Zetech University and the Kenya National Team to the pinnacle of U.S. collegiate basketball in just six years.

"Sometimes I wake up and I’m like, 'Am I really here?'" Okot told reporters following her selection.

"Six years ago, I didn't see myself being here today. My dream was to play in the WNBA, but I didn't know it was going to be this fast."

After a successful stint at Mississippi State, Okot transferred to South Carolina for the 2025-26 season, where she flourished under legendary coach Dawn Staley.

In her lone season with the Gamecocks, Okot became a "double-double machine," leading the SEC in rebounding with 10.6 boards per game while adding 12.8 points and 1.4 blocks.

Her efficiency was equally elite, shooting 57.5% from the floor and showcasing a surprising ability to stretch the floor with a 44.8% three-point average.

These performances helped propel the Gamecocks to the NCAA Championship final, making her the first Kenyan to ever feature in a Final Four.

The Atlanta Dream, led by head coach Karl Smesko, entered the draft seeking to bolster their interior presence following the departure of veteran Brittney Griner in free agency.

Okot’s combination of elite footwork, rebounding dominance, and burgeoning perimeter shooting makes her a prototypical fit for Smesko’s high-volume offensive system.

In Atlanta, Okot joins a formidable frontcourt that includes star forward Angel Reese.

She will also reunite with former Gamecock teammates Allisha Gray and Te-Hina Paopao.

Coach Staley, a season ticket holder for the Dream, expressed immense pride in Okot's growth: "She is incredibly young in her basketball career, but her maturity and desire to improve go well beyond those years."

As Okot transitions to the professional stage, analysts believe her "raw talent" is only the beginning.

"She’s the prototypical draft player in that you draft on potential," noted one WNBA general manager.

For Kenya, her selection represents a new era of global visibility for the nation's athletes.