Madina Okot’s WNBA finals windfall: How much Kenyan basketball star stands to pocket

Basketball sensation Madina Okot is on the verge of becoming the first Kenyan to win a Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) championship after her team, Atlanta Dream, forced a decisive Game 7 against Golden State Valkyries in the 2026 Finals.

Atlanta kept its championship hopes alive with an impressive 80-69 victory over Golden State in Game 6 on Thursday, October 29, 2026, levelling the best-of-seven series at 3-3.

The result sets up a winner-takes-all encounter on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Chase Center in San Francisco, with the championship going to whichever side emerges victorious

The decisive match is scheduled for 8:00 pm Eastern Time, translating to 3:00 am East African Time on Sunday, November 1, 2026.

Aside from the medals, Madina Okot could take home approximately Ksh45.2 million in her maiden WNBA season if the Atlanta Dream win the championship, with the Kenyan centre already guaranteed a salary of Ksh37.4 million.

The 22-year-old’s earnings will depend partly on how her team performs in the ongoing WNBA Finals on Sunday morning Kenyan time, where Atlanta are chasing the championship title.

A victory would earn Okot a reported Ksh7.8 million championship bonus, taking her total income for the 2026 campaign to approximately Ksh45.2 million.

However, should Atlanta lose the final, her postseason reward would reportedly fall to Ksh2.6 million, pushing her season earnings to about Ksh40 million.

Born in Mumias, Kakamega County, Okot has enjoyed an impressive introduction to professional basketball after becoming the first Kenyan woman to reach the WNBA Finals.

She joined Atlanta after being selected 13th overall in the first round of the 2026 WNBA Draft, subsequently signing a four-year rookie contract valued at up to Ksh167 million.

Her debut campaign has provided a solid foundation, with the centre featuring in 42 regular-season matches, making two starts and recording averages of 5.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.

The financial rewards under her rookie agreement are also expected to increase over the coming seasons.

Her annual salary is projected to rise to Ksh38.9 million in 2027 before reaching Ksh42.8 million in 2028.

By 2029, she could earn approximately Ksh48.4 million, provided Atlanta exercise the relevant contract option.

Okot’s breakthrough has attracted attention back home, with President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto among those who have shown support for the basketball star during their visit to the United States on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.

The couple were captured embracing the Kenyan international courtside, in a moment that generated excitement among Kenyans.

Regardless of the outcome of the Finals, Okot has already achieved a landmark that places her among the country’s most successful basketball exports.

Her journey from Mumias to the biggest stage in American women’s basketball is also a significant moment for Kenyan basketball, offering inspiration to young players seeking opportunities beyond the country’s borders.

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