President William Ruto attended a Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) game in Brooklyn, New York, where he watched Kenyan-born basketball star Madina Okot feature for the Atlanta Dream against the New York Liberty.

Ruto, who is in New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly, attended the game at Barclays Center on Wednesday, September 23, as the Atlanta Dream faced the New York Liberty in their latest WNBA encounter.

The President shared his presence at the match on social media, saying he had attended the game to support Kenyan-born star Madina Okot.

The appearance placed the spotlight on one of Kenya’s emerging sporting talents, whose journey from Mumias to the American professional basketball scene has attracted growing attention at home and abroad.

Okot currently plays as a centre for the Atlanta Dream. Standing at 6-foot-6, she was selected by the team with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. The WNBA officially lists her as a first-round selection and identifies Mumias, Kenya, as her birthplace.

Her selection marked a significant milestone for Kenyan basketball. Okot became the first Kenyan woman to be selected in the top 15 of the WNBA Draft, giving her a place in the history of Kenyan basketball.

The Atlanta Dream had targeted Okot during the 2026 draft after her impressive college career in the United States. The team selected her with the 13th pick, describing her as a talented centre with considerable potential and a strong presence around the basket.

Her path to the WNBA has been remarkable considering how recently she began playing basketball. According to the Atlanta Dream, Okot grew up playing volleyball in Kenya and only took up basketball at the age of 16. She subsequently developed rapidly and moved into competitive basketball before earning an opportunity to play college basketball in the United States.

Okot first played college basketball for Mississippi State before transferring to South Carolina. During the 2025/26 season with South Carolina, she averaged 12.8 points and 10.6 rebounds per game and recorded 22 double-doubles. The WNBA lists her as having ranked first in the Southeastern Conference in rebounding during that season.

Her performances helped South Carolina reach the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship final, further raising her profile before she entered the professional ranks.

The Atlanta Dream subsequently made her their first selection in the 2026 WNBA Draft. The team’s official draft announcement highlighted her rebounding ability, size and strength, while noting that she had emerged as one of the leading frontcourt players in college basketball.

Since joining Atlanta, Okot has continued to adjust to the demands of professional basketball.

The game against New York provided another opportunity for the Kenyan player to experience the atmosphere of the WNBA while representing a team competing at the highest level of women’s professional basketball.

According to the official WNBA box score, Okot played for just over two minutes in Atlanta’s September 23 game against New York. She recorded one rebound during her appearance.

Atlanta went on to defeat New York, adding another victory to its campaign as the regular season moved towards its conclusion.

The match was also significant because it came only two days after the two teams had met at the same venue. Atlanta had defeated New York 95-84 on September 21, with the result affecting the Liberty’s positioning ahead of the playoffs.

For Kenyan fans, however, the focus extended beyond the final score.

Ruto’s attendance created an opportunity to celebrate the progress of a Kenyan athlete competing on one of the world’s biggest basketball stages.

Kenya has traditionally been associated internationally with athletics, particularly long-distance running. However, Okot’s emergence in the WNBA has provided another example of a Kenyan athlete making an impact in a different sporting discipline.

Her story has attracted attention because of the speed with which she progressed after taking up basketball.

From her early years in Kenya to playing for Zetech University and eventually moving into the American college system, Okot built a career that eventually took her to the WNBA Draft. Her selection by Atlanta represented the culmination of several years of development and competition.

Her achievement has also been viewed as an important moment for young Kenyan basketball players who aspire to pursue professional careers internationally.

Okot’s story demonstrates the opportunities available to athletes who develop their skills and gain access to competitive sporting structures.

The Atlanta Dream has also continued to integrate Okot into a roster featuring established WNBA players. The team’s roster includes players such as Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray, giving the Kenyan rookie an opportunity to learn and develop alongside experienced professionals.

The WNBA currently lists Okot as an Atlanta Dream centre and records her as a rookie following her selection in the 2026 draft. Her current season averages are listed at 5.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game.

While her professional career is still at an early stage, her progression remains closely followed by basketball supporters in Kenya.

President Ruto’s presence at the game also highlighted the increasing visibility of Kenyan athletes competing internationally.

The President’s attendance came during his visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, where Kenya is participating in discussions involving world leaders and international organisations.

Away from the diplomatic engagements surrounding the UNGA, his appearance at Barclays Center brought attention to the sporting achievements of a Kenyan athlete on American soil.

The occasion also offered a symbolic connection between Kenya and the international sporting community.

For Okot, having the Kenyan President attend one of her WNBA games provided an opportunity to represent the country in front of a high-profile audience.

Her rise has already generated considerable interest in Kenya since her draft selection in April. The WNBA’s official records confirm that Atlanta selected her 13th overall, while the Dream’s draft announcement described her as a player with significant potential.

The significance of her journey extends beyond individual achievement.

Her progress has opened conversations about the development of basketball talent in Kenya and the possibility of more Kenyan players pursuing opportunities in international leagues.

Basketball has a strong following among young people in Kenya, with schools, universities and clubs providing platforms for players to develop their skills.

Okot’s career could therefore provide inspiration for young players who may previously have viewed professional basketball abroad as an unlikely destination.

Her journey also demonstrates the role played by international college basketball in developing African talent. Through her time at Mississippi State and South Carolina, Okot was able to compete against some of the best collegiate players in the United States before making the transition to the professional game.

The move to the WNBA represents another stage in that development.

As the Atlanta Dream continue their season, Okot will be looking to gain more experience and establish herself within the team's rotation.

For Kenyan basketball supporters, every appearance provides another opportunity to follow the progress of a player who has already made history.

Ruto’s appearance at Barclays Center therefore offered more than a presidential presence at a basketball game. It placed a Kenyan athlete at the centre of attention during an important moment in her first WNBA season.

The President’s decision to attend the game and publicly highlight his support for Okot also drew attention to the growing presence of Kenyan athletes across international sporting platforms.

For Okot, the journey from Mumias to the WNBA remains a remarkable progression.

She has moved from picking up basketball at a relatively late age to becoming a professional player in one of the world's most prominent women's basketball leagues.

Her selection by Atlanta was already a historic achievement. Her continued development in the WNBA now represents the next chapter of that journey.

As she gains more experience, Kenyan fans will be watching closely to see how her career develops and what further milestones she may achieve.

The Atlanta Dream's meeting with the New York Liberty on September 23 may have been another fixture on the WNBA calendar, but for Kenya, it carried additional significance.

It was an opportunity to see one of the country's own compete on the international stage, with President William Ruto present to show his support.

Madina Okot’s journey continues to put Kenyan basketball on the global map, while her rise provides a new sporting story for young Kenyans looking beyond traditional athletics and exploring opportunities in basketball and other international sports.