Atlanta Dream rookie Madina Okot revealed that her new teammate, Angel Reese, has swiftly taken her under a wing as she continues to adjust to life at the professional level
11:05 ET, 23 Apr 2026Updated 11:05 ET, 23 Apr 2026
Angel Reese was traded to the Atlanta Dream earlier this month(Image: Getty Images)
It hasn’t taken long for Angel Reese to take Madina Okot under her wing as the pair of teammates adjust to life on the Atlanta Dream.
Earlier this month, the Dream sent shockwaves across the WNBA upon acquiring Reese from the Sky, while her former teammate has addressed an ‘unnecessary’ incident before the trade. In exchange, Atlanta gave up its first-round picks in 2027 and 2028, while also receiving the right to swap second-round picks with Chicago in 2028.
As one of her first orders of business in Atlanta, Reese has ensured that Okot feels right at home in an unfamiliar setting. The South Carolina product was taken by the Dream with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, with the selection swiftly getting a seal of approval from the two-time All-Star. Meanwhile, the Caitlin Clark effect is on full display after a huge WNBA announcement.
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Taking to social media, Reese wrote: “YAY! MADINA!!! Another walking double-double!! LET’S GOOOO!!!”
Speaking to reporters during the Dream’s first day of training camp, Okot revealed that her transition to the professional level has been made significantly easier by Reese and company.
“For everybody that has been here, for everybody that has been able to watch the few practice sessions that we’ve had and the meetings that we’ve had, that is so evident. They’re so caring,” Okot said.
“They keep asking if I’m okay. They keep asking if I have any questions. Reese is around me, trying to ask me if I need anything, if I understand everything the coaches are saying, and she is willing to explain it to me.”
Madina Okot was selected by the Dream with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft(Image: Getty Images)
Prior to sharing the court with Reese, Okot closely studied her game while first gravitating towards basketball just six years ago. “I’ve been watching her since I was in high school,” Okot told BBC. “I know she’s going to be like a sister to me. She’s going to teach me so many things.
“My goals are to keep growing my game and to learn from experienced players.”
Long before Okot turned her WNBA dreams into reality — thereby becoming the third-ever Kenyan to be chosen in the draft, as well as the highest pick from her native country — the center struggled to even enter the United States.
While attempting to travel stateside and play for Troy and Eastern Michigan, Okot had a whopping four visa applications rejected. “It was tough. I felt like giving up several times,” she conceded.
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“The second, third and fourth one I cried so hard. I had a security guard taking me to my [taxi]. I felt so bad.”
The fifth attempt proved to be the winning number, as Okot was granted eligibility to join Mississippi State for the 2024-25 campaign before transferring to South Carolina last April.
“The day that I got my visa was my birthday,” Okot said with a wide grin. “That was my best birthday gift I’ve ever got.
“I’m so grateful to my mom and my dad and everybody else that kept convincing me to keep trying.”