The Tasmania Jewels’ newest import, WNBA rookie Madina Okot, has arrived in Hobart and will make her debut for the club at the Silverdome in Launceston on Thursday night.
The 22-year-old Kenyan centre comes straight from playing for the Atlanta Dream in the 2026 WNBA finals series. She was the WNBA’s 13th draft pick this year.
Okot is the Jewels’ second import and the final player signed for the club’s debut WNBL season. The former volleyballer first picked up a basketball as a 16-year-old in Kenya in 2020.
Okot said she saw rebounding as her main contribution and believed it was the missing piece in the Jewels’ most recent game.
“I feel like if we really rebounded that game so well the outcome would be different,” she said.
She described the WNBA finals as “a special moment” despite Atlanta’s loss.
“I feel like not so many players are able to experience that in their rookie season,” she said.
Head coach Claudia Brassard said Okot would be a huge help for the team.
“We’ve had two games where we’ve been smacked on the board, so hopefully she helps fix that,” Brassard said.
The coaching staff is also working with Okot on footwork and on what referees focus on in Australia. Brassard said they wanted to make sure “the size is not just picking up fouls just because she’s big and tall”.
Vice-captain Keely Froling will also return on Thursday after a calf injury. Brassard said she was back earlier than expected and the club was working with medical staff on her minutes.
Froling said Okot would surprise opponents.
“You can’t miss her size and her length. But she’s super skilled as well,” Froling said.
“That’s something that I think will shock the league a little bit.”
The Jewels currently sit in fifth after two wins and two losses.
They will face the Southside Melbourne Flyers, who beat them earlier in the season, at 7pm on Thursday at the Silverdome.
