Revealed: Madina Okot faced repeated visa denials before WNBA dream

A clip has resurfaced of newly-drafted WNBA player Madina Okot sharing the gruelling visa challenges she encountered before her latest achievement

In the past TV interview, Okot revealed she was denied a visa several times before finally travelling to the United States.

Despite the setbacks, she said it did not deter her from chasing her dream of becoming a professional basketball player. She also spoke about growing up in Mumias, noting her background pushed her to work harder.

“Kitu inafanya ni keep going ni home. Nikifikiria place nimetoka na watu wako kwa maisha yangu ni motivating,” she said.

Okot credited her coaches at Zetech University for shaping her journey, singling out Coach Obi for his mentorship.

“Coaches wenye wamenisaidia kwa basketball. Iyo time nilikuwa Zetech university na Coach Obi was not just a coach but kama mzazi. He is always there, anakumotivate anakuambia God’s timing is always the best,” Madina said.

She urged aspiring Kenyans not to give up, saying family responsibility and encouragement from others kept her going.

“Hakuna haja ya kugive up na wewe mwenyewe unajua nini unataka kwa maisha yako. Some of us familia zetu zinatuangalia sisi. So huwezi give up, lazima ufikirie wale wako nyuma yangu. Watu wamekuwa wakiniongelesha na kunimotivate. Kuna some of the players wenye wame go through the same thing na imenikeep going,” she said.

Her remarks have resurfaced after she was selected by the Atlanta Dream as the 13th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 WNBA Draft in New York on April 13.

Sharing her excitement, Okot said, “I’m so excited to be here today. Just getting drafted, it’s a dream come true. I’m going to compete against the greatest players I’ve been watching and looking up to growing up.”

Her path to the league was far from straightforward.

Days before the draft, her future remained uncertain after the NCAA denied her request for an additional year of eligibility, forcing her to declare for the draft after just two seasons in the US. What initially seemed like a setback turned into an opportunity.

Despite spending only one season under coach Dawn Staley at the University of South Carolina, she impressed scouts enough to earn a first-round pick.

“Six years ago, I didn’t see myself being here today,” she said. “If I could go back, I’d tell my younger self I’m so proud of her. She never gave up.”

Okot’s rise reflects a journey built on persistence. She began playing 3-on-3 basketball for Kenya at 17, later featured for Zetech University, and moved to the US for college basketball.

She now heads to Atlanta, where she is expected to help fill the gap left by Brittney Griner following her move to another team.

Her story mirrors other Kenyan athletes who have overcome adversity, including Kelvin Kiarie Ruhiu, who recently won gold and silver at the International Skating Championship in Benin despite competing alone and without government support.

Kenyans later rallied behind him, raising over Sh88,000 after the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports said he had not reached out.