South Carolina women’s basketball standout Madina Okot has quickly proven to be one of the most impactful additions to the Gamecocks’ 2025–2026 roster. After another dominant stretch of performances, the powerful post player earned major recognition this week.
On Tuesday, the Southeastern Conference announced that Okot had been selected as the SEC Player of the Week, while the United States Basketball Writers Association honored her as one of their National Players of the Week.
Okot earned the accolades after averaging 16.5 points and 11.0 rebounds across two South Carolina victories.
She was unstoppable in a road matchup against ranked Louisville, finishing with 23 points and 13 rebounds, shooting an efficient 10-for-16 from the floor and picking up only two fouls. Back home against North Carolina Central, she added 10 points and nine rebounds in just 11 minutes of action.
Okot wasn’t the only SEC athlete recognized this week—Aaliyah Chavez of Oklahoma was named SEC Freshman of the Week. She also shared USBWA national honors with Lauren Betts (UCLA), Kaety L’Amoreaux (Fairfield), Megan Nestor (North Texas), and Olivia Olson (Michigan).
Through the season so far, Okot is averaging 14.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks, while converting 63.8% of her field goal attempts. She has already recorded seven double-doubles. Her season highs include 23 points (achieved three times) and 15 rebounds, along with standout games featuring four steals, four blocks, and three assists.
At 6-foot-6 with elite athleticism, Okot provides the kind of interior dominance that has defined South Carolina’s championship DNA. The Gamecocks have long relied on elite post players—A’ja Wilson (2016–2017), Aliyah Boston (2021–2022), and Kamilla Cardoso (2021–2022; 2023–2024)—as pillars of their national title runs. Okot now looks poised to become the next great USC big to anchor another championship contender.
