South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley oversaw a dominant outing on Wednesday as the Gamecocks rolled to a 51-point win over Winthrop, and one of the biggest standouts of the night was post player Madina Okot.
Okot, now in her first season with South Carolina after spending 2024–2025 at Mississippi State, delivered another powerful double-double—her third in USC’s first five games. She poured in 23 points on an extremely efficient 10-of-12 shooting, grabbed 11 rebounds, and added three blocks along with three assists.
After the game, Staley praised her starting center’s relentless activity around the rim, saying Okot “was cleaning up a lot of stuff” for the Gamecocks. Six of her 11 rebounds came on the offensive glass, underscoring her impact.
Staley added that Okot is steadily finding her footing within South Carolina’s system, noting she is becoming “more comfortable” each game and inching closer to the level of dominance the coaching staff believes she can reach.
Even with Okot already producing at a high level—averaging 13.2 points, nearly 60% shooting, 10.6 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks—Staley hopes Wednesday’s performance isn’t the last chapter of Okot’s USC career. Thanks to her unique eligibility circumstances, the senior may be able to return for another season.
Before transferring to Mississippi State, Okot spent two years playing at Zetech University in Nairobi, Kenya, and only one season in the NCAA counts officially toward her eligibility. With the NCAA’s modern flexibility—where certain junior-college or lower-division seasons may not count—Okot could have a legitimate case for an additional year.
And Staley made it clear the Gamecocks will push hard for it.
“We’re gonna fight like heck,” Staley said. “I mean, it’s an interesting situation with her, but I think it’s worth fighting. If she can get another year back, definitely, for me, [she’s] a top-five pick (in the WNBA Draft).”
While it’s unclear whether Staley meant Okot is already top-five caliber or could reach that level with another season, either interpretation isn’t far-fetched. Some early WNBA mock drafts are already placing Okot as a potential first-round selection.
Staley certainly knows what top-tier post talent looks like. South Carolina has produced several top-five WNBA picks under her guidance—A’ja Wilson (No. 1), Aliyah Boston (No. 1), Alaina Coates (No. 2), and Kamilla Cardoso (No. 3).
If she does receive an extra year, Okot will face a meaningful decision about turning pro or returning to Columbia. She won’t be the only Gamecock weighing that choice. Chloe Kitts, currently out with an injury, is draft-eligible but can return with a medical redshirt. Ashlyn Watkins, also sidelined for the season, is in a similar position—eligible for the draft but with another year available.
South Carolina’s frontcourt future may depend heavily on how those decisions unfold, but for now, Okot continues her rapid rise as one of the team’s most impactful early-season performers.
