COLUMBIA — Madina Okot is officially part of the South Carolina women’s basketball program, less than a day after a she reposted news about her commitment on social media.
The 6-foot-6 center spent one season in the SEC with Mississippi State after starting her career at Zetech University in Kenya. Okot averaged 11.3 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game for the Bulldogs.
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“Madina gives our frontcourt additional size and speed,” coach Dawn Staley said in a school release. “She has the ability to score, rebound and defend, and her competitiveness and SEC experience are added bonuses. We’re excited to bring her to our Gamecock family, and I know the FAMS are going to love watching her play.”
Okot is the second player Staley’s signed via the transfer portal. The first was Ta’Niya Latson, a 5-foot-8 guard from Florida State who led the nation in scoring during the 2024-25 season.
At MSU, Okot started in all 34 games and registered 12 double-doubles. She had 21 points and 23 rebounds in the win over Vanderbilt on Feb. 13. In the NCAA tournament, she had had 14 points, 13 rebounds in the second-round win vs. Cal and in the season-ending loss to Southern Cal she had eight points, six rebounds and two steals.
She ranked fourth in the SEC in rebounds per game and her 64.9% shooting from the field led the SEC and ranked fourth in the nation. She scored in double figures in 22 games.
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Okot brings not just size but experience to Staley’s crew of forwards/centers. After losing 6-foot-3 starting forward Sania Feagin to the WNBA and 6-foot-5 Sakima Walker to the transfer portal, Staley’s been in need of size and maturity. She returns freshman Joyce Edwards and junior Chloe Kitts but both play more of a forward role than center.
Now Staley has Okot to join 6-5 redshirt freshman center Adhel Tac.
TRACKER: South Carolina women’s basketball transfer portal tracker 2025: Who’s in, out for Dawn Staley
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Dawn Staley on South Carolina adding Madina Okot, a 6-foot-6 center
