Madina Okot Makes Tasmania Jewels Debut After WNBA Finals as Former Gamecock Helps Fuel 20-Point Comeback
Former South Carolina Gamecocks center Madina Okot has started a new chapter in her professional basketball career, making her debut for the Tasmania Jewels against the Southside Melbourne Flyers in the 2026–27 Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) season.
The Atlanta Dream rookie made an immediate defensive contribution as Tasmania recovered from a 14-point second-quarter deficit to secure an impressive 99–79 victory, completing a 20-point turnaround.
Okot finished her debut with 4 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks, providing an early indication of the interior presence she can bring to Tasmania.
Although her offensive production was relatively modest, her defensive contribution was important. Six rebounds and two blocked shots demonstrated the type of physical presence the Jewels wanted when they recruited the 6-foot-6 Kenyan center.
The performance also marked another milestone for a player whose basketball journey has taken her from Kenya to Mississippi State, South Carolina, the WNBA and now Australia.
Madina Okot’s Tasmania Debut: Breaking Down Her Numbers
Debut statistics:
- Points: 4
- Rebounds: 6
- Blocks: 2
- Team result: Tasmania Jewels 99, Southside Melbourne Flyers 79
Okot’s first appearance was more about establishing her presence in the paint than taking over the scoring responsibility.
Her six rebounds helped Tasmania add another physical option around the basket, while her two blocks highlighted her potential as a rim protector.
For a player adjusting to a new country, competition and team system, the debut provides an initial foundation.
It is also important not to judge her overall value through scoring alone. Tasmania recruited Okot because of her ability to rebound, defend, contest shots and provide size against opposing frontcourts.
Her next challenge will be developing greater offensive chemistry with Tasmania’s guards and established frontcourt players.
How Tasmania Turned a 14-Point Deficit Into a 20-Point Victory
The Jewels initially struggled against the Flyers, falling behind by 14 points during the second quarter.
However, Tasmania gradually found its rhythm and entered halftime with a two-point advantage.
The club’s halftime update read:
“Close the gap to lead by 2PTS at the half 💪”
The leading scorers at halftime were:
- Brooke Basham – 12 points
- Gianna Kneepkens – 8 points
- Steph Reid – 7 points
- Darcee Garbin – 6 points
- Katie Deeble – 4 points
The second half saw Tasmania strengthen its advantage and complete a remarkable comeback.
The Jewels celebrated the result with the following update:
“Fight back from a 14-point deficit in the second quarter to win by 20 points 📈”
The final scoring contributions included:
- Brooke Basham – 20 points
- Gianna Kneepkens – 15 points
- Steph Reid – 14 points
- Darcee Garbin – 14 points
- Keely Froling – 14 points
Basham led the scoring, while Kneepkens, Reid, Garbin and Froling provided valuable support.
Okot’s defensive contribution added another dimension to the team’s performance.
Mississippi State: Where Madina Okot Established Herself as an Elite Rebounder
Before becoming a Gamecock, Okot spent the 2024–25 collegiate season at Mississippi State, where she quickly established herself as one of the SEC’s most productive centers.
She appeared in 34 games and started all 34, averaging:
| Category | Mississippi State 2024–25 |
|---|---|
| Games played | 34 |
| Games started | 34 |
| Points per game | 11.3 |
| Rebounds per game | 9.6 |
| Assists per game | 0.7 |
| Blocks | 38 total |
| Steals | 46 total |
| Field-goal percentage | 64.9% |
| Minutes per game | 22.7 |
| Total points | 385 |
| Total rebounds | 325 |
One of the most impressive aspects of her Mississippi State season was her shooting efficiency.
Okot shot 64.9% from the field, ranking first in the SEC and fourth nationally.
She was not simply collecting rebounds. She was also an efficient interior scorer who could finish around the basket and punish defensive mistakes.
Her rebounding dominance
Okot averaged 9.6 rebounds per game, leading Mississippi State and ranking fourth in the SEC.
She recorded at least five rebounds in 31 of her 34 appearances and collected 10 or more rebounds in 17 games.
She also finished the season with 12 double-doubles, demonstrating her ability to contribute consistently in both scoring and rebounding.
Her most memorable performance came against Vanderbilt on February 13, 2025.
In that contest, Okot delivered an outstanding:
- 21 points
- 23 rebounds
- 3 assists
- 2 blocks
- 2 steals
She recorded her first career 20-point, 20-rebound performance, producing one of the most impressive individual displays of her collegiate career.
Her 23 rebounds also represented her season high.
Her scoring ability at Mississippi State
Okot’s offensive production was another major strength.
She scored at least 10 points in 22 games and reached 20 points or more twice.
Her season-high scoring performance came against Maryland Eastern Shore on December 20, 2024, when she scored 26 points.
She also recorded 13 made field goals in that game.
Those numbers established her as more than a defensive specialist. Okot demonstrated that she could become an important scoring option when her team needed production inside.
Defensive impact
Her defensive statistics also deserve attention.
Okot recorded:
- 38 blocked shots.
- 46 steals.
- A season-high four blocks against Missouri.
- A season-high five steals against Alabama State.
For a 6-foot-6 center, her ability to contribute in both shot-blocking and steals demonstrated her defensive versatility.
She could protect the basket while also using her length and athleticism to disrupt opposing offenses.
How Her Mississippi State Experience Translates to Tasmania
The statistics from Mississippi State explain why Tasmania viewed Okot as an important addition.
Her collegiate production suggests four areas where she can make a difference.
1. Rebounding
Her 9.6 rebounds per game at Mississippi State demonstrate her ability to control the boards.
Tasmania can benefit from having another player who can secure defensive rebounds, prevent second-chance opportunities and create additional possessions.
2. Interior scoring
Her 64.9% field-goal percentage at Mississippi State demonstrates her efficiency around the basket.
With time and chemistry, she could become a reliable finishing option for Tasmania.
3. Rim protection
Her 38 blocks in 34 games at Mississippi State show that she has the ability to challenge shots around the basket.
Her two blocks in her Tasmania debut offer an early example of that defensive skill.
4. Frontcourt versatility
Okot’s combination of size, mobility and rebounding gives Tasmania another option in its frontcourt rotation.
Her presence alongside Darcee Garbin and Keely Froling could make the Jewels more difficult to challenge physically.
From Mississippi State to South Carolina and the WNBA
Okot’s development did not stop at Mississippi State.
She transferred to South Carolina for the 2025–26 season, joining Dawn Staley’s program and becoming part of another highly competitive collegiate environment.
During her Gamecocks season, she averaged:
- 12.8 points per game
- 10.6 rebounds per game
- 57.5% field-goal shooting
- 22 double-doubles
Her 10.6 rebounds per game ranked first in the SEC, while her 22 double-doubles ranked third nationally.
Her performances helped South Carolina reach the national championship game.
The Atlanta Dream subsequently selected her 13th overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft, making her the first Kenyan woman selected in the top 15.
She then gained valuable professional experience with Atlanta, including participation in the 2026 WNBA Finals.
Now, her journey continues with Tasmania.
What Happens Next for Madina Okot?
Okot’s debut gives Tasmania an encouraging starting point, but the bigger opportunity lies in what she can develop over the coming games.
The Jewels will want her to become more comfortable with their offensive system, establish stronger connections with Steph Reid and improve her consistency as a scoring option.
The partnership with Reid could be especially important because of the guard’s ability to create opportunities through pick-and-roll situations.
Tasmania also needs Okot’s rebounding presence to become a consistent part of its identity.
Her Mississippi State statistics demonstrate that she has the ability to produce double-digit rebounds and score efficiently around the basket.
If she can translate those strengths into regular WNBL production, she could become one of the most important additions to Tasmania’s inaugural campaign.
Final Takeaway
Madina Okot’s Tasmania debut was not defined by a huge scoring performance. Instead, it offered an early glimpse of the qualities that made her an attractive professional prospect.
Four points, six rebounds and two blocks may be modest opening numbers, but her defensive contribution came during a game in which Tasmania needed to respond after falling behind by 14 points.
Her Mississippi State résumé provides further evidence of her potential: 11.3 points, 9.6 rebounds and 64.9% shooting in 34 starts.
Combined with her subsequent success at South Carolina and her WNBA experience, Okot brings valuable experience to the Jewels.
The next question is how quickly she can turn that potential into consistent production in the WNBL.
For Tasmania, the addition of a young center with her size, athleticism and rebounding background could prove significant as the season progresses.
Sources and Verification
- Mississippi State Athletics – Official 2024–25 player statistics and biography.
- WNBA – Madina Okot’s official player biography and collegiate career.
- WNBL – Tasmania Jewels player profile.
- Pulse Tasmania – Report on Okot’s arrival and debut.
- Tasmania Jewels – Team game updates and scoring contributions.
Statistical note: The 4-point, 6-rebound, 2-block debut line and 99–79 result are reported in a post-game community update. The WNBL player profile had not yet populated her game-by-game statistics when checked. The Mississippi State figures are from the university’s official 2024–25 records.
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