South Carolina Bolsters Frontcourt With Towering Transfer Addition: Madina Okot Joins the Gamecocks
The South Carolina Gamecocks have landed their second major transfer portal addition of the offseason—and this one comes with serious size. Madina Okot, a 6-foot-6 post player from Mississippi State, has officially committed to Dawn Staley’s squad, bringing a dominant presence to a team that just reached the national championship without a true center.
Though speculation had swirled for weeks about her potential move to Columbia, Okot waited to announce her commitment. She visited South Carolina over Easter weekend, where she was spotted with future coaches and teammates, both around campus and on social media.
Despite not having a traditional post anchor after Ashlyn Watkins suffered a torn ACL in January, Staley’s Gamecocks reached the title game behind a frontcourt rotation of Chloe Kitts, Joyce Edwards, and Sania Feagin.
“The fact that we’re here, the fact we’re here without (Watkins) is quite an incredible feat that is probably not talked about a whole lot because we don’t talk about it a whole lot,” Staley said at the Final Four.
Recognizing the need for a rim-protecting, rebounding presence, Staley openly pitched the program on her “Carolina Calls” radio show, branding the school as “Post Player U.”
Statistically, Okot may not be the highest-profile name in the portal—former Wisconsin star Serah Williams arguably holds that title—but when it comes to fit, she might be the perfect match for South Carolina.
Rebounding? Okot averaged 9.6 boards per game, tied for third in the SEC, despite playing just 22.7 minutes per game.
Rim protection? She blocked 1.1 shots per game, boasting a standing reach of 8-foot-8 and a 6-foot-10 wingspan—comparable to former Gamecock stars Aliyah Boston and Kamilla Cardoso.
Efficiency? Okot shot a scorching 64.9% from the field, while averaging 11.3 points per game. Her top performance of the season came in a win over Vanderbilt, where she exploded for 21 points and 23 rebounds.
Though she’s raw, Okot’s upside is enormous. She only began playing basketball in 2020 and previously played for Zetech University in her native Kenya while awaiting her visa to attend Mississippi State—a process that took five tries. She also represented Kenya’s senior national 3×3 team, showcasing her elite athleticism.
Whether Staley plugs Okot into the starting lineup or uses her as a versatile option off the bench, the addition provides vital flexibility—especially as Watkins continues rehabbing her ACL injury. It also gives Adhel Tac more time to develop after losing nearly two years to injury setbacks.
Okot’s eligibility timeline is still uncertain, as she played two years at Zetech before joining Mississippi State. Though listed as a junior, it’s unclear whether she’ll be granted additional eligibility for those seasons.
With Ta’Niya Latson already committed and Okot now officially on board, South Carolina is poised to reload with elite talent and size for another deep tournament run in the 2025–26 season.
