The South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball will officially move forward without Madina Okot next season after the NCAA denied her season-of-competition waiver, confirming that the senior has exhausted her collegiate eligibility. The decision brings an end to a short but highly impactful career in Columbia, where Okot quickly established herself as one of the top centers in the country.
Head coach Dawn Staley praised Okot not just for her performance on the court, but for the journey that brought her there. Staley highlighted the difficult and courageous choices Okot made earlier in her life to pursue basketball and improve her circumstances, emphasizing that her time with the program, though brief, left a lasting impact on both the team and the sport.
In just two NCAA seasons, Okot produced at an elite level. This past year, she ranked third nationally with 22 double-doubles, while also finishing 16th in rebounding at 10.6 per game and 19th in field goal percentage at .575. Her dominance on the glass became a defining feature of South Carolina’s success, as she led the team in rebounding in 29 of 39 games. Her presence in the paint consistently gave the Gamecocks an edge, whether through second-chance opportunities or defensive stops.
Okot’s production also placed her among the best single-season performers in program history. She finished second all-time in offensive rebounds with 149 and ranked third in both total rebounds (412) and defensive rebounds (263). Her 22 double-doubles are the fifth-most in a single season for the program, further underscoring how quickly she made her mark. Beyond the numbers, her physicality, consistency, and interior scoring made her a key piece of one of the most dominant teams in women’s college basketball.
Her contributions helped power South Carolina to another elite season. The Gamecocks finished with a 36–4 record and secured their fifth consecutive SEC regular-season title, continuing a run of dominance in the Southeastern Conference. They also advanced to the Final Four once again in the NCAA Division I women’s basketball tournament, marking the program’s sixth straight appearance at that stage and the seventh under Staley’s leadership.
While the waiver denial closes the door on Okot’s college career, it also cements her legacy as a player who maximized her opportunity in a short time. For South Carolina, replacing her production in the frontcourt will be a significant challenge moving forward. For Okot, her performance and recognition—including an All-SEC Second Team selection—position her well for whatever comes next in her basketball journey.
Ultimately, the decision is a reminder of how strict eligibility rules can shape college careers, but it does little to diminish what Okot accomplished. Her impact was immediate, her production was historic, and her story remains an important part of South Carolina’s continued success.
