South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley has made another significant addition to her already formidable roster. The Gamecocks have officially landed 6-foot-6 center Madina Okot, a transfer from Mississippi State, who announced her commitment following an official visit to Columbia over the weekend. Okot becomes the second player to join South Carolina through the transfer portal this offseason, following the addition of former Florida State star guard Ta’Niya Latson.
With Okot’s arrival, South Carolina adds size, skill, and international experience to its frontcourt rotation. The towering center is now the tallest player on the Gamecocks’ roster, boasting a remarkable 6-foot-10 wingspan and an 8-foot-8 standing reach — tools that have already translated to elite shot-blocking and rebounding ability at the collegiate level.
Originally from Kenya, Okot played at Zetech University before making the jump to Division I basketball in the United States. She also represented the Kenyan National Team from 2022 to 2024, giving her experience competing against top-level international talent. Her background has helped shape her into a dynamic interior presence who can impact both ends of the floor.
During her lone season at Mississippi State, Okot made an immediate impact, averaging 11.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. She led the Bulldogs in rebounds and blocks and ranked third on the team in scoring. Her field goal percentage of 64.9% was not only tops on the team but also led the entire Southeastern Conference (SEC), showcasing her efficiency around the rim.
Okot had several standout performances throughout the 2024 season, but none more dominant than her 21-point, 23-rebound showing in a victory over Vanderbilt. She recorded 12 double-doubles over the course of the season, consistently proving herself as a force in the paint. In a head-to-head matchup against South Carolina, Okot contributed four points, eight rebounds, and two blocks — enough to leave a strong impression on Coach Staley and her staff.
South Carolina’s addition of Okot signals a continued emphasis on building a team that dominates defensively and controls the glass — key elements in the Gamecocks’ recent championship-contending runs. She will join a frontcourt rotation that includes returning players like Ashlyn Watkins and Adhel Tac, adding depth and versatility to an already loaded roster.
With Okot and Latson both joining the program, South Carolina is poised to once again be a national powerhouse in the upcoming season. Head coach Dawn Staley continues to prove her dominance not only on the court but also in the transfer portal, assembling a roster capable of contending for another national title.
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