South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley isn’t slowing down after a tough loss in the national championship game to Geno Auriemma and the UConn Huskies. With eyes set on redemption in the 2025-26 season, Staley is turning to the transfer portal to reload her roster with elite talent.
On Saturday, an exciting transfer development emerged.
According to Talia Goodman of On3 Sports, Mississippi State transfer Madina Okot is currently visiting Columbia and meeting with Staley. The 6-foot-6 forward from Mumias, Kenya, is fresh off a strong 2024-25 season where she averaged 11.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game, while shooting an efficient 64.9% from the field.
A dominant presence in the paint, Okot would bring much-needed size, defensive strength, and interior scoring to South Carolina’s lineup. Her skill set perfectly fits Staley’s vision for a team that wants to get back to the top.
Joining South Carolina is a dream for many players, and for good reason. Since stepping in as head coach in 2008-09, Dawn Staley has transformed the Gamecocks into a powerhouse, building a stunning 475-110 record, good for an 81.2% win rate. Under her leadership, the program has captured three national championships, and remains a top destination for the nation’s best talent.
“We’re building something bigger each year,” Staley has said—and adding someone like Madina Okot could be the next big move in that journey.
