‘She’s been a sponge’: Rookie center Madina Okot is thriving for the Dream

Three-time All-Star Angel Reese said earlier in the season that she’s been pouring her experience into Okot and noticing results almost instantly.

“I tell her when she comes in the game, ‘You are the best, and you are a beast. And nobody in front of you can guard you but you,” Reese said, “… and she continues to dominate. I think she’s been a sponge and always willing to learn and figure things out.”

The pair has quickly developed chemistry. Reese is often seen coaching Okot on the court and sidelines.

“She (Reese) keeps telling me to do things that I think I’m not able to do,” Okot said. “And I feel she just does a very good job of being a sister to me.”

Okot has learned from others, too. She said veteran guard Rhyne Howard has taught her to play with more composure to control her movements on the court.

Ahead of the Dream’s June 22 game against Toronto, coach Karl Smesko emphasized making every minute count. Okot applied that advice by limiting unnecessary dribbles and attacking the basket more efficiently. She finished with 18 points and seven rebounds in 18 minutes. It was her second-best scoring game before she set a career high with 19 points against the Portland Fire on July 11.

Okot said playing against top performers and alongside her inspiring teammates has helped her grow.

“I’m learning from the greatest, and I just want to go out there and do the most I can from my opportunities I get,” Okot said.

One area where Okot is still developing is on the defensive end. She’s shown promise defending on the perimeter, using her size for blocks (she has eight) and going for rebounds. She has lacked consistency, however.

Despite some growing pains, Okot’s minutes have continued to increase, reaching a career-high 22 minutes in the July 11 game against Portland.

Smesko has said throughout the season that he’s been figuring out ways to give his bench quality minutes. Okot has utilized her time to the best of her ability.

In the team’s most recent game against the Chicago Sky on July 19, she had 14 points and four rebounds in 11 minutes when Reese was sidelined after an awkward fall. Jordin Canada scored the game-winning basket off an assist from Brionna Jones. But after the game, it was Okot’s performance that Canada wanted to credit first.

“Madina came in and gave us some great minutes down the stretch in the fourth quarter,” she said. “So, that’s what we need from her anytime she steps out on the floor.”

Now that Jones has returned from a knee injury, Reese can spend more time at her natural power forward position. That gives Okot more opportunities to develop alongside the second unit with Naz Hillmon while learning to play alongside both veteran bigs.

Okot has only been playing basketball for six years. Selected 13th overall in the draft out of South Carolina, she entered the league with plenty of upside but limited experience compared with many of her peers. Even so, she’s proving that with the right development and veterans around her, she has the potential to build a career that exceeds expectations.

“She’s willing to work every day, and I just hope she realizes how good she can be and just wants to work to get there because the potential is there to be an All-Star and above player,” Smesko said.