South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley calls her new post weapon 'an imposing presence'

South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley knows a thing or two about coaching elite post players. A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston are the best two players ever to wear garnet and black, but other names like Kamilla Cardoso and Alaina Coates were forces inside for recent Gamecock teams, as well.

According to Staley, though, USC has another potentially elite post player on this year’s squad.

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Speaking about transfer portal addition Madina Okot during Thursday night’s “Carolina Calls,” Staley said her new 6-6 center is “an imposing presence” in the paint.

Though she’s new in Columbia, Gamecock fans have already caught glimpses of that.

Okot, who transferred in after nearly averaging a double-double at Mississippi State last year, scored 12 points on 4-for-5 shooting in her regular-season debut against Grand Canyon on Monday. A couple of weeks ago, she went off for 17 points, 15 rebounds, and six blocks in just 23 minutes during an exhibition against Anderson.

According to Staley, Okot’s success down low isn’t just a product of her impressive height. “[Madina] is probably one of the strongest individuals that we’ve ever had,” she said. Despite the praise, Staley made sure to continue her coaching of Okot, even over the radio airwaves. “We need her to impose that strength on the opponent,” Staley challenged. “She’s very nice…We need to bring the beast out of her.”

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Okot has been a starter for South Carolina through two exhibitions and the season opener. And with two key forwards out for the year with knee injuries in Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins, the team will need Okot, fellow tower Adhel Tac, and 2024-2025 Freshman All-American Joyce Edwards to play the bulk of the minutes in the paint.

A quiet person by nature, Okot can make a loud impact on the floor. As good as she was last season at Mississippi State, Staley believes there is more to unlock. The Gamecock boss said Okot is mature and has a very high ceiling as a player. She believes, “We need to be more intentional about getting [Okot] the ball.” Though she took double-digit shot attempts just eight times, Okot reached double figures in scoring on 22 occasions for the Bulldogs. She’s already done it once for the Gamecocks, as well.

Her biggest impact on the game, though, could be without the ball. Okot snatched at least 10 rebounds in 17 games a season ago, including a 23-board clinic against Vanderbilt. She also averaged over a block per game.

Okot will be one of the most important players on the South Carolina women’s basketball roster this season, with or without the ball. Her next time on the floor to prove that sentiment will come on Friday, November 7th. The Gamecocks will host former assistant coach Fred Chmiel and the Bowling Green Falcons for a 7:00 p.m. showdown at Colonial Life Arena. The game will not be on traditional television but will stream on SEC Network+.

NEW! Message board for South Carolina Women’s Basketball!