Madina Okot, a rising basketball talent from Kenya, is on the verge of launching her professional career. The Atlanta Dream have given her a spot on their roster, and she’ll be part of the squad when the 2026 WNBA season gets underway.
Opening night for the Dream happens at home on May 17. Standing in their way will be the Las Vegas Aces, the defending champions, with the game set for State Farm Arena. Okot made the cut as one of the final 12 players after linking up with the team when preseason workouts started. Among her new teammates is Angel Reese, a two-time WNBA All-Star who arrived from the Chicago Sky.
The team is coming off a breakthrough 2025 campaign their first under head coach Karl Smesko — and Reese adds both flair and title-winning experience to the mix. She’s widely considered one of the league’s most entertaining players.
Before the real action begins, the Dream have a warm-up test this weekend. They’ll travel to Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Lynx at the Target Center.
For Okot, the rise has been swift. She only started playing basketball a little over six years ago. Now, the Mumias-born athlete stands among Kenya’s most successful basketball exports, and her story is fuelling dreams for young players back home.
Kenyan basketball has plenty to celebrate in her achievement, and it hints at bigger things to come for other local players chasing international careers.
As for the team itself, the Atlanta Dream came into existence in 2008. They remain the Southeast’s sole WNBA franchise, calling Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia, their home court.
