• BASKETBALL

• Frank Rotich 1 month ago

President Ruto and First Lady watch Kenya's Madina Okot as Atlanta Dream beat New York Liberty

President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto were in Brooklyn, New York, on Wednesday to watch Kenyan basketball star Madina Okot in action as Atlanta Dream defeated New York Liberty 83–65 in a WNBA regular season game.

Ruto and Rachel watched the game from courtside alongside NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum and representatives from NBA Africa.

The President was in New York for the United Nations General Assembly and took the opportunity to watch Okot, who has made history as the first Kenyan selected in the first round of the WNBA Draft.

Atlanta dominated the game after trailing 19–18 at the end of the first quarter. The Dream responded strongly in the second quarter, outscoring Liberty 23–7 to take a 41–26 lead at halftime.

They maintained control in the second half, winning the third quarter 17–18 and the final quarter 25–21 to complete an 83–65 victory.

Okot came off the bench and played just over two minutes. She finished with two points and two rebounds, according to the Associated Press.

For Okot, the occasion was another special chapter in a remarkable basketball journey.

Born in Mumias, Kakamega County, Okot initially played volleyball and only began playing basketball seriously at the age of 16 after joining Kaya Tiwi Girls High School in Kwale County.

Her height and potential attracted the attention of coaches, and she developed rapidly despite having little previous experience in the sport.

Okot later represented Kenya internationally, including at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, before earning opportunities to play college basketball in the United States.

Her journey was not without setbacks. She was denied a US visa four times before finally securing one on her fifth attempt in 2024. During the delays, she continued playing in Kenya for Zetech University and Kenya Ports Authority.

After moving to the United States, Okot played for Mississippi State before transferring to the University of South Carolina.

During the 2025/26 season, she averaged 12.8 points and 10.6 rebounds per game and recorded 22 double-doubles, helping South Carolina reach the NCAA championship game.

Her performances earned her a place in the history books when Atlanta Dream selected her 13th overall in the first round of the 2026 WNBA Draft.

That made Okot the first Kenyan player to be selected in the first round of the WNBA Draft.

Her appearance against New York Liberty was therefore more than just another WNBA game.

It brought her journey from the basketball courts of Kenya to the world's premier women's basketball league into sharp focus, with the Kenyan President and First Lady watching from the stands as she continued her historic first season.

After the game, Okot said she appreciated Ruto's presence and expressed hope that the support would create more opportunities for girls interested in basketball in Kenya.

The evening ended with Atlanta Dream securing an 83–65 victory over New York Liberty, while Okot's growing WNBA journey continued to attract attention back home in Kenya.