• BASKETBALL

• Frank Rotich 3 hrs ago

Coach Smesko backs Kenya’s Okot to shine on her WNBA debut

Kenyan basketball star Madina Okot has received strong praise from her new coach ahead of her much-awaited Women’s National Basketball Association debut this weekend.

The 21-year-old center is expected to feature for the Atlanta Dream when they face the Minnesota Lynx in Minneapolis after impressing during pre-season matches.

Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko believes the Kenyan youngster still has a lot more to offer and says she is only beginning to understand her full ability.

Okot has already caught the attention of fans and coaches during training camp. In her first pre-season game against the Chicago Sky, she scored 14 points and collected 11 rebounds to help her side win 87-78.

She also impressed against the Washington Mystics with nine points, six rebounds and two blocks from the bench.

Smesko praised Okot’s attitude and willingness to improve, saying she competes hard every day in training.

“She wants to learn and get better. We are excited because we believe she can make positive contributions this season,” said the coach.

The Atlanta Dream boss also noted that Okot is among the youngest players in this year’s WNBA draft class but has already shown great confidence and energy on the court.

According to Smesko, the Kenyan star has not yet realised how talented she truly is. He believes once she fully understands the speed and physical demands of the WNBA, she will become even more dangerous.

Okot was selected as the 13th overall pick in this year’s WNBA Draft and is now seen as one of Kenya’s brightest basketball talents on the global stage.

The Dream coach added that the club is focused on developing its young players, including Okot, and believes their future is “off the charts.”