COLUMBIA — South Carolina women’s basketball may get to have Madina Okot longer than expected after picking up the 6-foot-6 center in the transfer portal this offseason.
Okot, listed as a senior for the No. 2 Gamecocks (5-0), played one season at Mississippi State. Prior to moving to the United States, she played for Zetech University in Nairobi, Kenya and in the FIBA Africa Women’s Basketball League.
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Will coach Dawn Staley and Okot pursue a path similar to that of other athletes in arguing for more NCAA eligibility?
“We will fight like heck, fight like heck,” Staley said Nov. 19 after the 106-56 win over Winthrop. “It’s an interesting situation with her but I think it’s worth fighting if she can get another year back.”
What year is Madina Okot?
Okot provides height to a South Carolina team that didn’t have a traditional center last season. The weakness was obvious at times, especially after having 6-7 Kamilla Cardoso for the two prior seasons.
Through five games, Okot has scored three double-doubles. Against Winthrop, she had 23 points and 11 rebounds, three points shy of tying her single-game career high. She didn’t miss a shot from the floor until late in the fourth quarter, finishing 10-for-12, and had three assists and three blocks.
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Staley noted Okot’s dominance in the paint is greatly needed, and since preseason practices in the fall has believed she can be a difference maker, which makes Aliyah Boston’s planned visit to South Carolina all the more special.
Boston played four years for Staley, finishing as the program’s all-time leader in 10 statistical categories, and is a two-time WNBA All-Star for the Indiana Fever.
“Aliyah is coming in next week and Madina is super excited because she’ll work with her a little bit,” Staley said. “Just to show her what happens at the next level.”
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at LKesin@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky@bylulukesin.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Dawn Staley on potential extra year eligibility for South Carolina Madina Okot
